Women's Soccer | 08.19.2026

RICHARDSON, Texas (August 19, 2026) – The Lone Star Conference announced its 2026 women's soccer preseason poll and players to watch on Wednesday, with Lubbock Christian University picked to finish ninth and Riley Espinoza, Casey Storer and Emma Wright named players to watch.
 
LCU garnered 336 points in the poll overall, just behind the 338 of eight place St. Edward's, but well ahead of West Texas A&M in 10^th. The preseason poll is voted on by LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members.
 
Reigning league winner Dallas Baptist was picked to win the conference and also claimed the Preseason Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year honors. The Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year will play this season at UT Dallas.
 
Both Storer and Wright are entering their fourth seasons with the Lady Chaps in 2026. Storer, a Keller, Texas, native, has played in 47 career games, including 41 starts in her collegiate career. The defender has 3,741 minutes played and scored one goal last year as well. Wright played every minute last season in goal and has suited up for LCU 27 times overall. She has a career goals against average of just 1.01 and a save percentage of .797.
 
Espinoza is back for a second season with the Lady Chaps after a freshman season at Missouri Western. As a sophomore last year, she played in 13 games, was tied for the team lead in assists with five and scored two goals as well.
 
The top eight teams by points at the end of the regular season will advance to the LSC Postseason Tournament, which will take place from Nov. 6-14. First round and quarterfinal matches will be played on campus before the remaining four teams play at the final site, hosted by the No. 1 seed, which also receives a bye.


Lubbock Christian finished the 2025 season with an 8-8-2 record, reaching the LSC Tournament as the No. 7 seed. They will open the 2026 season on Friday, August 29, at the LCU Soccer & Track Complex against Fort Lewis.