KIRKSVILLE, Mo. – The Truman State University women's soccer team returns its five leading scorers and 10 seniors as the Bulldogs prepare for the 2026 season under head coach Mike Cannon.

Truman brings back the players responsible for 17 of its 21 goals, 13 of its 14 assists and 47 of its 56 points from last season. The Bulldogs finished 5-6-5 overall and 5-5-4 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2025.

The season begins Thursday, Aug. 27, when Truman hosts Davenport University at 5 p.m. inside Stokes Stadium as part of Student and Community Appreciation Week.

Bulldogs Return Leading Attackers

Senior forward Quinn Nauman returns after leading Truman with five goals, four assists and 14 points last season. Nauman started all 16 matches and led the Bulldogs with 43 shots and 21 shots on goal.

Sophomore midfielder Madison Blomenkamp produced four goals and one assist during her first collegiate season. She scored on four of her 17 shots and put nine attempts on goal.

Senior midfielder Aubrey Kaupas finished tied with Blomenkamp for second on the team with nine points. Kaupas recorded three goals and three assists, converted her only penalty-kick attempt and scored the winning goal in Truman's 3-2 victory at Indianapolis.

Seniors Ashley Klaus and Lia Quintero round out Truman's five leading returning scorers. Klaus recorded two goals and one assist in 12 appearances. Quintero scored twice while playing in only five matches.

Redshirt senior Hanna Ritter also returns after starting 15 matches and contributing one goal and one assist.

The group gives Truman every player who recorded at least four points last season. The Bulldogs also return Abby Hutteger, Ella McCleary and Ellie Semerau, who each contributed an assist.

Experience Throughout the Roster

Ten seniors give Truman experience at every level of the field.

Along with Nauman, Kaupas, Klaus, Quintero, Hutteger, McCleary, Semerau and Ritter, the senior class includes Julia Behounek and Bailey Allen.

Behounek, Puszkar, McCleary and Samantha Larkins each appeared in all 16 matches last season. Hutteger played in 15, while Allen appeared nine times.

Junior midfielders Mackenzie Wright and Kylee Bearden join Larkins among the team's upperclassmen. Wright started all 16 matches in 2025.

Redshirt sophomore Siman Loethen returns in goal after playing more than 1,400 minutes last season. Loethen made 47 saves, recorded two shutouts and finished with a 1.60 goals-against average.

Redshirt freshman Mikayla Thomas also returns after making two appearances and stopping both shots she faced.

Truman allowed 25 goals in 16 matches last season while scoring 21. The Bulldogs held six opponents to one goal or fewer and closed consecutive road matches against Missouri S&T and Lincoln with scoreless draws.

Turning more of those close results into victories will be central to Truman's effort to move up the GLVC standings. Eleven of the Bulldogs' 16 matches last season were decided by one goal or ended in a draw.

Freshman Class Adds Scoring and Defensive Depth

Eight freshmen join the 2026 roster.

Forward Lizzy Peng arrives from Rock Bridge High School after earning All-State honors and being named the Central Missouri Athletics Circuit Offensive Player of the Year in consecutive seasons. She averaged one goal per match and helped Rock Bridge win a district championship in 2026.

Kloey O'Connell finished her career at Washington High School with 38 goals, 38 assists and 114 points. She earned honorable mention All-State, All-Region, All-District and First Team All-Conference recognition as a senior.

Mabel Sanders recorded 23 goals and 21 assists at St. Pius X High School and earned All-Region honors during her senior season.

Defender Hannah Sternau was named IHSSCA All-State in 2026 after receiving All-Sectional recognition in 2025. She earned four consecutive All-Conference selections and recorded seven goals and two assists during her senior season at Belleville West.

Addison Carroll earned four All-District selections and was named All-State during each of her final two seasons at St. Francis Borgia.

Sam Busch helped Nerinx Hall win the 2024 Missouri Class 4 state championship and earned All-Conference and All-District recognition.
Lily Steinmetz was a team captain and All-Conference selection at Fort Zumwalt East, while Rosie Demling earned Second Team All-Conference honors at Francis Howell.

Four-Match Homestand Opens Season

Truman begins the season with four consecutive home matches.

Following the opener against Davenport, the Bulldogs host Purdue Northwest on Aug. 29 and Harris-Stowe State on Sept. 2. GLVC play begins Sept. 5 against defending conference tournament champion Drury.

Three of Truman's first four conference opponents were selected among the top six teams in the GLVC preseason poll. The Bulldogs travel to sixth-ranked Rockhurst on Sept. 9, host preseason co-favorite Maryville on Sept. 13 and visit Illinois Springfield on Sept. 16.

The conference schedule includes seven home matches and seven road contests.

Truman hosts Lincoln for Family Day on Sept. 20 and Lewis for Senior Day on Oct. 17. The final home match is scheduled for Oct. 21 against Quincy at Stokes Stadium.

The regular season concludes Oct. 24 at Indianapolis. The GLVC Tournament quarterfinals are scheduled for Oct. 31.

Truman Selected 10th in GLVC Preseason Poll

Truman received 84 points and was selected 10th in the GLVC preseason coaches' poll.

Missouri-St. Louis received 10 first-place votes and 189 points to lead the poll. McKendree and Maryville tied for second with 170 points, while defending GLVC Tournament champion Drury was one point behind in fourth.
 

2026 GLVC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll

2026 Truman Women's Soccer Schedule

*GLVC match

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