The Pitt State women’s soccer team enters its second season in program history after finishing last year’s inaugural season with an 8-8-2 record, including going 3-3-1 at home, 5-5-1 on the road, and 4-6-2 within the MIAA conference.
Their strongest stretch came at the beginning of the season with a 3-0 start, standing as their longest streak of the year, winning or losing.
Ranking seventh in the 2025 MIAA preseason coaches’ poll, head coach Wes Branstetter said he believes the team is ready to take the next step.
“I think we set a good foundation,” Branstetter said. “But you don’t get to build off season one. It’s a new season. We start from ground zero for this year, but we know that we laid a lot of foundation for our culture and who we want to be on and off the field.”
Branstetter’s goal for the team this season is to not only make the conference tournament, but to compete near the top of the standings.
“The first part is that every day we step out to be where we are and continue to get better,” Branstetter said. “We want to make the tournament, but we also don’t want to just stop there. I think we can get higher, depending on how the season goes. We want to have the expectation of being top four or top two, but I think top six is a very good place to start.”
Redshirt senior forward, Jadyn Newell will provide veteran leadership after transferring from Fort Hays State last year. Newell tied for the team lead with three goals and one assist for seven points in her 904 total minutes of game time in 2024.
“This is my third year of, ‘oh, it’s my last year,’ and then ending up with just extra eligibility,” Newell said. “But this year, I’m just enjoying the moment. I think we’re going to have a good season, and I’m thankful to even be here and have the opportunity to play.”
“A lot of my friends that I played with at Fort Hays are out of eligibility by now, so I’m very thankful to be able to be here and be one of the older kids,” Newell said.
Newell added that she sees progress across the roster heading into the second year of the program.
“I think for the team, it’s important to show improvement in a lot of areas, not necessarily just results,” Newell said. “Obviously, we would want a little bit better of a record, and I think our base goal would be to make the playoffs this year for the NCAA, but we have so much talent this year. If I could just do my part in helping the team succeed and get that better record and make the playoffs, I’d be happy.”
The Pitt State women’s soccer team kicks the season off with a scrimmage against the Drury Panthers on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m. They then go on the road to face the University of Missouri’s St. Louis Tritons on Thursday, Sept. 4, before coming back home to host the Missouri S&T Miners the following Sunday at 4 p.m.