COLUMBUS, Ga. – Fresh off its third consecutive Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship and another NCAA Division II Tournament appearance, the Columbus State University Women's Soccer team has announced its 2026 schedule.
The Cougars enter the season after posting a 14-6-1 overall record and an 8-2 mark in Peach Belt Conference play in 2025. Columbus State capped its season by defeating North Georgia 1-0 in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship match, securing the program's third straight tournament title and earning a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Cougars closed the season by winning 10 of their final 12 matches, including three victories in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.
The championship season also brought national recognition to the program. Columbus State produced two Academic All-Americans, one United Soccer Coaches All-American, five United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region selections, and seven Peach Belt Conference All-Conference honorees. The Cougars also featured the Peach Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year and Gold Ball Award winner, while combining one of the conference's most dominant attacks with one of the strongest defensive units. Last season, CSU averaged 2.90 goals per match while limiting opponents to just 0.70 goals per match, leading the Peach Belt Conference in both categories.
The 2026 campaign features 17 regular-season matches, including eight at Walden Soccer Complex and nine on the road, along with a challenging non-conference slate that includes multiple NCAA Tournament-caliber opponents.
"We are excited to see what 2026 fall brings our way," said head women's soccer coach Jay Entlich. "We had an amazing spring by playing some top-level Power 4 teams and also taking a trip to the UK, where we played three professional teams. We return some very talented players in addition to adding 10 new players. We are hopeful to compete for a title again in 2026."
The regular season begins on Thursday, August 27 (7 PM) when Columbus State hosts Florida Southern at Walden Soccer Complex. The Cougars, who posted a 6-3 home record last season, will then travel to Lincoln Memorial on August 29 before heading to Florida for a match against Embry-Riddle on September 3. CSU returns to Georgia to host Eckerd on September 6 (1 PM), before traveling back to Florida to face Rollins on September 9.
The non-conference slate features several challenging regional opponents, including a September 19 trip to Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears outlasted Columbus State in a 1-0 opening-round match at the 2025 NCAA Division II Tournament, setting up one of the most anticipated matches on the Cougars' 2026 schedule.
Peach Belt Conference play begins in September. Last season, the Cougars posted an 8-2 conference record in 2025 and compiled a 10-2 record against teams on this year's Peach Belt Conference schedule, including three postseason victories en route to their third consecutive conference tournament championship.
Conference home matches include Georgia Southwestern (Sept. 12, 5 PM), North Georgia (Sept. 23, 5 PM), Clayton State (Oct. 3, 1 PM), USC Beaufort (Oct. 14, 3 PM), and Georgia College (Oct. 17, 2 PM). Columbus State defeated each of those opponents during the 2025 season, highlighted by a 1-0 victory over North Georgia in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship match.
The Cougars will travel to Middle Georgia State (Sept. 16), Flagler (Sept. 26), Lander (Oct. 7), and USC Aiken (Oct. 10) during conference play. Columbus State went a combined 5-2 against those opponents last season, including Peach Belt Conference Tournament victories over both USC Aiken and Lander.
The regular season concludes with a home match against Catawba on October 21 (1 PM), before Columbus State travels to Montevallo for its regular-season finale on October 28. The Cougars played Catawba to a 1-1 draw in 2025.
The Cougars return one of the Peach Belt Conference's most accomplished cores in 2026, highlighted by senior defender Kelsey Croft, a two-time All-American who earned United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America Second Team honors and First Team All-Peach Belt Conference recognition in 2025.
Junior Sophia Leal also returns after earning First Team All-Peach Belt Conference and United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region Second Team honors. Sophomore Mia Robinson returns following an outstanding freshman campaign that saw her finish second on the team with nine goals, while sophomore defender Skye Tumbelty returns after making 16 starts during her debut season.
Croft and Leal helped anchor a dominant Cougar defense that led the Peach Belt Conference in goals-against average (0.70). Robinson and the returning attack helped fuel one of the Peach Belt Conference's most successful offensive units as Columbus State captured another conference championship and NCAA Tournament berth. The Cougars also return proven offensive threats in seniors Payton Conti, who tallied seven goals and four assists for 18 points in 2025, and Shania Wegesend, who added seven goals during the championship campaign.
Columbus State will also welcome 10 newcomers to the roster as the Cougars look to defend the Peach Belt Conference Tournament title for a third consecutive season, contend for another Peach Belt Conference championship, and return to the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The 2026 Peach Belt Conference Tournament is scheduled for October 31, November 4, and November 7, with locations and times to be determined.
