WSOC Preview: CBU Set to Kickoff 2025 Season on Thursday Night
8/11/2025 12:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
RIVERSIDE--- The 2024 Western Athletic Conference Tournament Champions are set to take the pitch this coming Thursday as the first game of the 2025-2026 athletic year is set to kick off what should be a memorable year for the California Baptist University Athletic Department. The CBU women's soccer team will open its 2025 season against California State University Bakersfield at CBU Soccer Stadium on Thursday, August 14th, at 7 p.m.
Head Coach Kristen St. Clair's squad features 13 returners and 11 newcomers, including transfers from the University of Arizona, Creighton University, and the University of Kentucky. Of the returning class, eyes will be on the 2025 WAC Preseason Co-Defender of the Year Summer Allen as she returns for her fourth season with the Lancers as an anchor for CBU's defense. Additionally, Kaylee Hauck will be a featured member of the CBU offense and was also named to the Preseason All-WAC Team. Other notable returners for St. Clair include Ava Westlund, Ava Lopez, and Mikayla O'Brien. Noteworthy newcomers for the Lancers are Jess Ramirez from Arizona, who will play a massive role in the midfield for CBU and is the sister of former Lancer Soccer Legend Jayden Ramirez, and Ashley Mekitarian from Kentucky, who will bring SEC experience to the pitch for St. Clair.
"We're looking for competitors. High character and integrity, who will put the team first and want to put their best effort forward," said St. Clair. "We're looking for players who want to compete for championships every year. This year, we're really excited about our incoming class that will pair nicely with our strong returning class".
With the season set to begin this week, the Lancers will be looking forward to several games this season, but perhaps the most exciting will be the rematch against #5 USC in Los Angeles. Last year's game against the Trojans was very competitive and set the tone for one of CBU's most successful seasons in the Division I Era to date. Additionally, the Lancers will compete in the University of Hawai'i Tournament in Honolulu for the first time before returning home to take on the Crosstown Showdown on Thursday, September 11th, against soon-to-be Big West foe UC Riverside.
California Baptist's final year of WAC play will begin on Thursday, September 5th, featuring a home and away duel against all conference teams this season that will start at home against Abilene Christian for the Lancers. CBU will also end against ACU in Abilene, Texas, on November 2nd before returning to Orem, Utah, for the 2025 WAC Tournament. The Lancers will be on the hunt for another tournament championship before closing out their time in the WAC with the hopes of being a part of the first round of the NCAA Tournament set to begin on November 14th.
Of the 20-game spread, the Lancers will play in nine home matches and 11 road matches before the postseason begins. Senior Night is set for the CBU's last home game of the year on Sunday, October 26th, against Southern Utah at 5 p.m. For more information on this upcoming season, head to Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear directly from Coach St. Clair and Kaylee Hauck on the most recent episode of the Lancer Athletic Podcast!
Single-game tickets are now on sale here.
