GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s soccer team will host VMI in the first round of the southern Conference (SoCon) Championship on Tuesday, October 29. The Spartans aim to advance to the quarterfinals against No.2 Western Carolina on Friday, October 31, at 7:00 p.m. at Catamount Athletic Complex in Cullowhee, North Carolina.
UNCG concluded the 2024 season with an overall record of 5-9-5 and a 3-3-3 mark in SoCon play. Despite a challenging season, the Spartans secured four shutouts, highlighted by recent 1-0 and 0-0 results against Furman and Wofford, respectively, earning Emma Malone SoCon Defensive Player of the Week honors on October 7. UNCG was voted sixth in the 2025 SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll, receiving 45 points, and boasts redshirt senior midfielder Rachel Poplin on the 2025 SoCon Preseason All-Conference Team.
VMI finished the 2024 season at 6-11-2 overall and 1-7-1 in SoCon competition. The Keydets were predicted to finish tenth in the 2025 SoCon Preseason Coaches’ Poll. VMI recently defeated Gardner-Webb 2-0 for their second shutout of the season,but fell to ETSU 3-0 in their most recent contest. Mackenzie Hobik leads VMI with six points (two goals, two assists), while taliyah Headman and Madeline Karsonovich are tied for second with five points each.
Maren Ryberg has been VMI’s primary goalkeeper, starting 18 games and recording 128 saves with a 3.14 goals-against average.Statistically, VMI holds an advantage in saves over opponents (145-62), while their opponents lead in corner kicks (143-36). UNCG also trails in corner kicks, 74-63, but leads in saves, 72-64.
Information on the 2025 SoCon Women’s Soccer Championship is available at soconsports.com. Official UNCG merchandise can be purchased at uncg.spirit.bncollege.com.
