OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss Soccer heads to Charleston, South Carolina, to take on the College of Charleston on Thursday at 7 p.m. CT, marking their second road contest of the 2026 season, according to team officials.
The Rebels, under first-year head coach Todd Shulenberger, are seeking their third win after earning their first road victory last Sunday with a 2-1 win over Louisiana. In that match, freshman Isabella Pontieri and Paxton Bock scored their first goals in Rebels uniforms, both finding the net within 56 seconds in the first half.
Ole Miss opened the season strong, outscoring opponents 3-1 through two matches while holding teams scoreless in the first half. The team has outshot opponents 30-13 and leads in corner kicks 17-1, according to school reports. Pontieri was named to the 2026 Hermann Trophy Midfielders watch list, and several players, including Bock, Ghoreishi, Shackelford, Studer, and Watts, were named to the SEC Preseason Watchlist.
Ole Miss’s new era began in December when Shulenberger was hired after a successful 11-season stint at Washington State. He led the Cougars to five NCAA Tournaments and their first College Cup appearance in 2019, coaching 43 all-conference players and 10 who were drafted into professional leagues.
Charleston finished the 2025 season with an 8-6-3 record and was 4-3-2 in Coastal Athletic Association play. The Cougars scored 30 goals last season, led offensively by Bella Antonio, who netted five goals and four assists. Charleston opened this season with a 3-1 victory over Southern Utah and tied USC Upstate 1-1 in their second game.
The Rebels, who finished 4-8-3 in 2025, return key players such as Katie Ramsden, who led the team in goals and shots last season. The squad features a roster of 30 players, including 14 transfers, with eight coming from Washington State, and three freshmen.
Ole Miss’s goalkeeper room includes Taylor Prigge, who posted a .750 save percentage last season, along with newcomers Anna Claire Jacobi and Sienna Smart. The team also boasts notable preseason honors, with five players on the SEC Watchlist, including Bock, Ghoreishi, Shackelford, Studer, and Watts.
