The Winthrop women’s soccer team is set to host Emory & Henry on Sunday, August 23, at 6:00 p.m. EST at Eagle Field in Rock Hill. This match marks the first time in program history that the Eagles will face the Division II Wasps. Winthrop aims to secure back-to-back victories for the first time this season, following a recent 1-0 shutout win against VMI.
Mia Silber scored the game-winning goal against VMI, her first of the season, while freshman goalkeeper Mia Ruffalo recorded her career-first shutout with three saves. Cordelia McIntosh contributed significantly to the offensive pressure, attempting five shots in that game and currently leading the team with seven shots overall.
Winthrop enters the match with an overall record of 1-2-0, while Emory & Henry holds a 0-0-0 record. The Eagles are looking to achieve their 70th home game win all-time. Emory & Henry recently experienced a 5-0 loss to Gardner-Webb in an exhibition match.
Several Winthrop players were named to the 2026 Big South Preseason Player Watch List, including sophomore Lindsay Sheets (Forwards), senior Monssi Avila-Gutierrez (Midfielders), junior Cordelia McIntosh (Midfielders), and junior Mia Silber (Defenders). Avila-Gutierrez led the team in goals last season with five, including two game-winning goals, and was named First Team All-Big South. McIntosh was on the Big South Midseason Watch List last season, and Sheets was named to the Big South All-Freshman Team in her inaugural year.
The Winthrop women’s soccer program is in its 24th season, holding an all-time record of 158-200-52. Head coach Spencer Smith is in his 17th season. The team has added eight freshmen and one transfer student to its roster, alongside 13 returning players. Freshman Mia Ruffalo is the team’s sole goalkeeper. Winthrop was projected to finish sixth in the 2026 Big South Conference Preseason Poll.
Fans can watch select women’s soccer home games, including Big South Conference road games, live on ESPN+ with a subscription. The Eagles will next travel to Charlotte to play Queen’s on Thursday, August 27, at 7 p.m.
