Lead Story: Vanderbilt Soccer Set to Open 2026-27 Calendar With New Faces in Back
The SEC's 2026-27 athletics calendar gets underway August 12 when Vanderbilt soccer hosts the SMU Mustangs on West End, and the Commodores enter the opener with serious continuity from last season's No. 1 overall NCAA Tournament seed. Vanderbilt returns 67% of its minutes played, though the losses are concentrated in critical spots: SEC Goalkeeper of the Year Sara Wojdelko, All-SEC defender Hannah McLaughlin, and midfielder Maci Teater all exhausted their eligibility, accounting for 5,726 of the 7,882 minutes off the roster.
The biggest question is in goal, where for the first time since 2020 Vanderbilt has no returning keeper who started multiple games the prior season. Graduate Alexa Gianoplus owns the only college start among current Commodores — a 90-minute, six-save performance against Auburn — and has yet to allow a goal in 140 career minutes. She'll compete with returner Kennedie Marchand, UCLA transfer Layla Armas, and freshman Kellyane Dumas, who has earned multiple Canadian youth national team call-ups, including a spot on the 2024 U-15 CONCACAF Championship squad. A U-17 camp running August 13-19 will keep Dumas away for at least the ETSU match.
The back line is in far steadier shape. Mary Beth McLaughlin, who logged 2,076 minutes with 2 goals and 4 assists from the back three, returns alongside Margo Matula (2,052 minutes), giving Vanderbilt two defenders who played at or near an All-SEC level a year ago. The third spot in the back three is open, with sophomore Alexis Smith, freshmen Allison Kleiner and Nina Laba — rated a four-star by TopDrawerSoccer.com — and veterans Grace Freeman and Adysen Armenta all in the mix. Vanderbilt also added Florida transfer Megan Hinnenkamp and SMU transfer Lydia Ungashick to an eight-player freshman class.
Quick Hits
Suntarine Perkins earns Ole Miss' highest honor. The senior linebacker was named the 36th recipient of the 2026 Chucky Mullins Courage Award on Saturday in Oxford, one of the most meaningful distinctions in the Rebels' program.
Auburn basketball rolls in exhibition opener. Senior guard Kevin Overton led six Tigers in double figures as Auburn beat KK Mega Superbet 92-71 Saturday night at Ano Mera Indoor Hall in game one of its overseas trip.
Benji Roland named Auburn's 2026 SEC Football Legend. The former Tiger will represent Auburn in this year's SEC Football Legends class.
McCool Griffeth headed to the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame. The former SEC standout will be inducted as part of the Class of 2026.
LSU's Ryleigh Knaub wraps U.S. Women's Amateur. The Tiger golfer concluded her run at one of amateur golf's premier championships this week.
Portal Watch
A quiet 12 hours on the transfer front — no new SEC portal entries or commitments to report. With fall camps in full swing across the conference, roster movement has largely settled ahead of the season.
Recruiting Buzz
No new SEC commitments came in over the last 12 hours. The headline recruiting news nationally went outside the conference: per ESPN, four-star quarterback Christopher Vargas, the top-ranked pocket passer in the 2028 cycle, committed to Ohio State on Saturday — a name SEC quarterback rooms in the 2028 class will now be measured against.
Games to Watch
No SEC games are on the schedule today, but the wait is nearly over. Vanderbilt soccer raises the curtain on the conference's 2026-27 calendar Wednesday, August 12, hosting SMU at the Vanderbilt Soccer/Lacrosse Complex — the first competitive look at the Commodores' new-look goalkeeper room and back line. Football fall camps continue across the league, with media availabilities and practice sessions rolling through the weekend.
