DeLand, Fla. — Stetson women's soccer opens the 2026 regular season Thursday night when the Hatters welcome reigning national champion and No. 4-ranked Florida State to the Athletic Training Center for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
Thursday's season opener will also feature a Ted Lasso Night, with schedule posters and "Believe" posters available to fans while supplies last.
Following the home opener, Stetson will hit the road for its first Sunday afternoon matchup of the season, traveling to Kennesaw State for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Aug. 16.
Scouting the Hatters
The Hatters were picked seventh in the ASUN Preseason Coaches Poll after finishing the 2025 season with a 5-14 overall record and a 2-8 mark in conference play.
Stetson returns 15 players from last season, including
Stella Comana, who was named to the Preseason All-ASUN Team earlier this week.
Payton Quinones and
Bianca Mazzaferro also return for the Hatters, while the team brings back a core of players who saw significant minutes last season.
All three goalkeepers from last season are back, with
Clare Boesel leading the group after posting a 3-2 record in goal a year ago. Stetson also welcomes 13 newcomers, including six transfers, as the Hatters look to blend their returning experience with a new group of players.
Scouting the Opponents
Florida State enters Thursday's matchup ranked No. 4 nationally after capturing the 2025 NCAA Championship. The Seminoles finished last season 16-2-4 overall and 6-2-2 in conference play.
On their run to the national championship, the Seminoles defeated Samford, Lipscomb, No. 2 Georgetown, Ohio State, No. 2 TCU and Stanford. Florida State returns three players — Wrianna Hudson, Janey Okeke and Nyanya Touray — who were named to the Preseason All-ACC Team. The Seminoles were picked to finish fourth in the ACC Preseason Coaches Poll behind Notre Dame, Stanford and Duke.
Thursday's matchup marks the sixth meeting all-time between Stetson and Florida State, with the Seminoles holding a 5-0 advantage in the series. The teams last met on Sept. 4, 2025, when Florida State earned a 7-0 victory in Tallahassee.
Kennesaw State will open its season against No. 21 Memphis before welcoming the Hatters to Fifth Third Stadium on Sunday. The Owls finished 2-11-4 overall and 1-6-1 in conference play last season and were picked to finish ninth in the C-USA Preseason Coaches Poll. Kennesaw State welcomes 10 incoming freshmen to its roster this season.
Stetson holds a 5-11-2 all-time record against Kennesaw State, with the last meeting coming on Oct. 1, 2023.
Fans can watch both matches live on ESPN+, while live stats will be available at GoHatters.com. Follow Stetson Athletics on social media for the latest updates and coverage throughout the season.
About Stetson Athletics
At Stetson University, student-athletes don't just compete—they thrive. Located in historic DeLand, Florida, between Orlando and Daytona Beach, Stetson offers the perfect blend of competitive athletics, academic excellence, and an unbeatable Central Florida lifestyle. As the oldest private university in the region, Stetson supports approximately 500 student-athletes across 19 NCAA Division I sports. Nicknamed the "Hatters" after the institution's namesake John B. Stetson, a hat manufacturer who originated the modern-day cowboy hat, most Stetson athletic teams compete in the Atlantic Sun Conference, where they proudly hold the longest active membership since 1985. With top-tier facilities, personalized support, and a welcoming campus community, Stetson is where students can grow, compete, and succeed. Learn more at GoHatters.com or follow social media accounts @StetsonHatters.
