Lady Wildcats Set for Challenging and Opportunity-Filled 2026 Campaign

MCKENZIE, Tenn. – The Bethel University Lady Wildcats will embark on an ambitious 2026 women's soccer schedule featuring nationally recognized opponents, a demanding Mid-South Conference slate, and six opportunities to compete in front of the home crowd at Walter Butler Stadium.

Head Coach Misty Aird enters the season with optimism as the Lady Wildcats prepare to face a schedule designed to challenge the program from the opening whistle in August through postseason play.

"Our staff is excited about the opportunities this schedule presents," Aird said. "Every match on our schedule will require us to compete at a high level. We believe our team has the talent, experience, and character to embrace that challenge and continue building the standard of excellence we expect at Bethel."

The Lady Wildcats open the season on August 20 with a road contest against Olivet Nazarene before returning home for their 2026 home opener against Spartanburg Methodist on August 24 at Walter Butler Stadium.

The non-conference schedule features several intriguing matchups, including trips to Texas Wesleyan, LSU Alexandria, Harris-Stowe, Texas A&M-Texarkana, and Christian Brothers. Bethel will also host Champion Christian and perennial national power Georgia Gwinnett in what promises to be one of the marquee home contests of the season.

"We intentionally scheduled opponents that will prepare us for conference play and postseason competition," Aird said. "Our players want to compete against quality programs, and we believe these experiences will help us grow throughout the season."

Mid-South Conference action begins on September 12 when the Lady Wildcats travel to Lebanon to face Cumberland. Bethel will host conference rivals Lindsey Wilson, Freed-Hardeman, and Georgetown at Walter Butler Stadium while traveling to Campbellsville and the University of the Cumberlands during league play.

The conference schedule once again presents a formidable challenge, as the Mid-South Conference continues to feature some of the top programs in the NAIA.

"Our conference has consistently proven to be one of the strongest in the country," Aird said. "Every conference match matters, and we know we'll need to bring our best effort every time we step on the field."

Key Storylines for the 2026 Season

• A Challenging Start: Four of Bethel's first six contests will be played away from home, testing the Lady Wildcats early in the season.
• Home Field Advantage: Walter Butler Stadium will host six regular-season contests, including key conference matchups and the highly anticipated meeting with Georgia Gwinnett.
• Mid-South Conference Race: Conference play begins in mid-September with every match carrying postseason implications.
• Postseason Pursuit: The Lady Wildcats will once again set their sights on winning for the Mid-South Conference and making a postseason run.

The Lady Wildcats conclude the regular season on October 27 with a road matchup against Christian Brothers before turning their attention to postseason play in the Mid-South Conference Tournament.

Bethel University Lady Wildcats

2026 Women's Soccer Schedule

*Denotes Mid-South Conference contest.

Dates and times are subject to change. Fans are encouraged to visit BethelAthletics.com throughout the season for schedule updates, results, and complete coverage of Lady Wildcats soccer.