CEDAR CITY, UTAH -- The 2026 Women's Soccer season is set to get underway in less than two weeks, and the Southern Utah soccer team is prepared to make a splash in the first year back in the Big Sky Conference.

As Southern Utah Women's Soccer prepares for the 2026 season, one of the team's greatest strengths lies with the backline. With an experienced defensive unit returning and competition developing in goal, head coach Steven Lindquist believes the Thunderbirds have the pieces to build from the back and control matches.

Goalkeeper will be one of the most competitive position battles entering the season, with a talented group competing for the starting role. The room features experienced returners alongside promising newcomers, giving the Thunderbirds quality depth between the posts.

Freshman goalkeeper Tatum Trout arrives from Southern California and has already impressed with her athleticism and natural shot-stopping ability. Combined with the experience of the returning goalkeepers and a talented transfer addition, Lindquist believes the position is in good hands.

"The competition in goal has been really good," Lindquist said. "We have talented returners, a talented transfer, and a talented freshman. They all bring different strengths, whether that's shot stopping or distribution, and they've pushed each other every day."

Goalkeepers: Kaitlin Bustos - 5'9, R-Jr., Madi Ejgird - 5'5, R-So., Phoebe Knisley - 5'6, Jr., and Tatum Trout - 5'7, Fr.

In front of them, Southern Utah returns the core of its back line, giving the Thunderbirds valuable continuity heading into the new campaign.

Leading the group are returning defenders Rylan Tebbs, Brooklyn Bradley and Nao Yasuda, who will be joined by freshman Ashlyn Woodbury. Lindquist expects the experienced unit to do far more than simply defend.

"Our center backs are really the quarterbacks," Lindquist said. "They're organizing everything, communicating, and they're going to be comfortable on the ball. We don't want defenders that are just clearing it every time. They're going to help us keep possession and start our attack."

That philosophy represents a key piece of Lindquist's vision for the program. Rather than simply absorbing pressure, the Thunderbirds want their backline to dictate the tempo, patiently building possession and initiating the offense from the back.

The returning group has the technical ability to execute that style, with defenders capable of distributing under pressure while remaining disciplined defensively. Their composure on the ball will allow Southern Utah to maintain possession and create attacking opportunities through its buildup play.

With experience, technical quality and depth throughout the defensive unit, Southern Utah enters the season with a strong foundation. The goalkeeping competition will continue to elevate the group, and the returning back line is performing as expected; Thunderbirds fans will have an exciting team to support.

Defenders: Rylan Tebbs - 5'7, Jr., Nao Yasuda - 5'3, Sr., Brooklyn Bradley - 5'6, Jr., Karolina Jasaityte - 6'0, Jr., Ashlyn Woodbury - 5'11, Fr., Keira Barker - 5'7, Fr., Amelie Lemieux - 5'8, Fr., Sophie Clark - 5'7, Jr., Izzie Donaghey - 5'8, Fr., Reese Peterson - 5'10, Fr.

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