Ole Miss Soccer Set for Home Opener Against UAB on Military Appreciation Night
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss Soccer will host its first home match of the season this Thursday, August 21, when the Rebels take on UAB at the newly renovated Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT, with coverage on SEC Network+ featuring Jake Hromada (play-by-play), Ian Banner (analyst) and Annie Strong (sideline reporter).
Recent Action
The Rebels (0-1) opened their 2025 campaign on the road with a 3-2 loss to Memphis on Sunday. Freshman Brooklyn Marn and sophomore Katie Ramsden found the net, marking the fourth consecutive season an Ole Miss freshman has scored in their debut. Goalkeeper Sidney O’Billovich made five saves in her first appearance for the Rebels.
UAB (0-1-1) enters Thursday’s matchup coming off a 1-1 draw at ETSU. The Blazers are led by senior Abbey Burns, who paced the team in goals and assists last season under head coach Lisa Mann.
Spotlight Players and Preseason Honors
Ole Miss features a mix of returning talent and new faces, with 13 newcomers making their debut against Memphis. Ramsden, along with defenders Tate Blincoe and Lauren Montgomery, were all named to the 2025 SEC Soccer Preseason Watchlist. Blincoe started every match as a freshman last year, while Montgomery enters her senior season with 53 career appearances.
Ramsden, a native of England, is one of three international players on the roster, joining fellow English player Taylor Howarth and France’s Timéa Thorel.
Military Appreciation Night
Thursday’s contest will also serve as Military Appreciation Day. Fans are encouraged to wear white, and complimentary Ole Miss Soccer camo stickers will be available while supplies last.
Stadium Renovations
The home opener will mark the public’s first full look at the $3.75 million renovation to the Ole Miss Soccer Stadium. Upgrades include a new playing surface, expanded practice areas, a 9,000-square-foot turf zone, new video and audio systems, berm seating on the north end, and updated team shelters.
Since the stadium opened in 1997, Ole Miss has posted a 172-74-33 record at home, winning nearly 62 percent of its matches in Oxford.
Looking Ahead
The Rebels return 11 players from last season’s roster, highlighted by juniors Kate Smith, Evie Ewing and Sarah Granno, who combined for four goals in 2024. Between the posts, O’Billovich, Taylor Prigge and freshman Lexi Baldwin will compete for time in goal.
Head coach Matt Mott has also added a strong freshman class and 10 transfer players from across the country, bolstering the Rebels with both experience and youth as they look to improve in the 2025 season.
