OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City opens the 2025 women's soccer season at home on Thursday, taking on University of the Southwest in a 6 p.m. contest.
The Stars are coming off a 10-7-1 season that ended in the Sooner Athletic Conference semifinals.
 
OCU Notebook
Long Time No See: The Stars and Southwest haven't met since 2001. That was a 6-0 result for the Stars.
 
Gooooooaalls!: Nine of last year's 10 goal-scorers are back for 2025, led by Yami Ponce, who had eight last season. Amelia Horsford had five goals last year. Abby Russell and Reese Roberts came up with four apiece.
 
Assists: OCU's top three assist producers are back this season, led by Saizlee Carlton, who had six. Abby Russell had four and Reese Roberts contributed three.
 
Turned Away: Gemma Harvey brings the experience as starter back this season. She allowed 1.03 goals per game last season. Candela Blanco should see a good deal of playing time in goal as well.
 
Strong D: The Stars bring back two All-Conference defenders this season in Piper Nichols and Amelia Horsford. That tandem, along with Aynslee Duffy give OCU a strong defensive group.
 
Familiar Faces: The Stars return 20 players from last year's team. Reese Roberts returns as a captain. Yami Ponce, Saizlee Carlton, Abby Russell, and Amelia Horsford combined for 20 goals last season while Carlton and Russell amassed 10 assists. Piper Nichols and Aynslee Duffy return to anchor the defense. Gemma Harvey is back in goal for the Stars in 2025. Also returning are defenders Devin Jansing, Alyssa Schuerch, and Jadyn Basler; forward Ryann Brooks; and midfielders Ashley Russell, Chloi Thurman, Inka Silz, Wachipi Hamelryck, Kyrie Soto, and Dylan Harned. 
 
Transformational Transfers: OCU has three transfers on the team this year. Tatum Tallal, a senior forward from Central Oklahoma, Candela Blanco, a junior keeper from Central Methodist and Kayleigh Haygood, a junior forward from Rose State bring experience to the Stars.
 
One Fresh Face: The lone freshman on the team is Piedmont forward Ali Daugherty, who hopes to make the transition to the college game quickly.
 
Scouting Southwest: Southwest was 6-8-2 last season. The Lady Mustangs got six goals last season from Jadyn Duran.
 
Coach Billy Martin: Coach Martin is 43-33-7 since taking the helm at OCU in 2020-21. He has 10 or more wins in each of the last three seasons.