LORMAN, Miss. – Alcorn Soccer kicks off the 2026 campaign Thursday, August 13, as the Braves play host to the McNeese Cowgirls at Key City Park in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. CT. Admission to the game is free.
 
Under the direction of Head Coach Ken Kabiru, now set to begin his second full season in charge in Lorman, the Braves were predicted to finish fourth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Preseason Poll.
 
THE SCHEDULE
Thursday, August 13
10 a.m. – McNeese | Vicksburg, Miss. | Key City Park | Watch
 
IN THE RANKINGS
▪ Alcorn is not ranked in the United Soccer Coaches poll
▪ McNeese is not ranked in the United Soccer Coaches poll
 
QUOTES FROM COACH KABIRU
"We're excited to finally get out there and compete against someone other than ourselves. Preseason is preseason, but Thursday is real."
 
"This group has good chemistry, and Thursday is the first real test of that. I'm anxious to see how we respond in a live game environment."
 
"It doesn't matter that it's a morning kickoff. We've trained for that. We've prepared our bodies and our routine around it, and I expect us to be sharp from the first whistle."
 
"We respect every opponent we play, and McNeese is no exception. But at the end of the day, we have to focus on us – our execution, our details, our standards."
 
2025 SEASON RECAP
Last season, the Braves finished 5-8-4 overall, while posting a record of 3-3-2 in SWAC play. That includes wins over league foes from Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alabama State and Southern, respectfully. Two draws occurred against in-state foe Jackson State and Grambling State. The Braves advanced to the semifinals of the SWAC Tournament following a 2-1 win over Texas Southern in Prairie View, Texas.
 
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Annick Zouma of Alcorn Soccer was named Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Preseason Midfielder of the Year. Also earning preseason honors were Larissa Joso Luma joining Zouma on the SWAC Preseason First Team, while fellow Braves midfielder Ainara Aldeano was tabbed to the Second Team.
 
RETURNING FACES
Alcorn returns 12 players from last season's squad, including Larissa Joso Luma who finished the season as SWAC Newcomer of the Year and was All-SWAC First Team in the process.
 
SCOUTING MCNEESE
• McNeese enters the season on the heels of a 7-0 win over LSU-Eunice as an exhibition game on August 6.
• Last season, the Cowgirls finished 4-12-4, including a 3-5-2 record in the Southland Conference.
• The Cowgirls kept two clean sheets in 2025.
• McNeese returns leading goal scorer Rhiannon Maynes-Tourond (six goals), who finished the year with 14 total points.
 
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