SPOKANE, Wash. – The Whitworth women's soccer team opens the 2026 season on the road this week. The Bucs head to Montana to take on the University Providence on Saturday before battling Carroll on Sunday. Both matches will start at 11:00 am (MT) and be played at Nelson Stadium in Helena.

Check the Whitworth women's soccer schedule for live links to follow the action.

The Pirates: Whitworth is coming off a 3-8-8 season last fall, including a 3-7-6 NWC mark and sixth place finish. The Pirates lost their top three goal scorers from a season ago in Addison Dizard, Rebekah Hines, and Maia Santa Monica. Look for returners Emma Ellerd, Sylvie Washington, and Lily Cardenas to step up and make big impacts this season.

The Bucs head into this weekend having completed two exhibition matches, one against Columbia Basin College and one against Spokane Colleges. With some game experience under their belt, the Pirates should be set to get the season underway.

The Opponents: Providence comes into the weekend with a lot of early game experience. The Argos have played four scrimmages and two official matches, though they lost both of those official contests and have yet to score a goal. They have posted 15 shots on the season with seven on target. Opponents have scored seven goals on 27 shots against them. Junior Chloe Pajaro has a .588 save percentage at goalkeeper in two starts. Whitworth and Providence have not played in women's soccer.

Carroll College also has significant experience prior to this weekend, with three scrimmages and a 0-2-2 record in official matches. Each of the Saints' contests have been low scoring, as they have scored two goals and given up five through those four matches. Carroll averages 11.5 shots per game and gives up 14.3. Rachel McAllister and Makayla Schnabel have netted the pair of goals for the Saints. Maria Ackerman has played all four matches in net, posting a .828 save percentage and 1.25 goals against average. The Pirates and Saints drew 1-1 in Spokane last season.

The Coach: Whitworth soccer alum Cameron Bushéy is in his fifth season as head coach of the women's soccer team. The Pirates have a 29-28-20 record under Bushéy and a 27-23-14 mark in the Northwest Conference.

Bushey came from Stanislaus State, where he was the top assistant coach. Bushey has club coaching stints in Spokane and Colorado, and he was an assistant at Gonzaga University for two seasons (2018-19). He graduated from Whitworth in 2012 as a four-time All-NWC honoree who helped lead the Pirates to three NWC titles and NCAA Division III tournament appearances in 2008 and 2009.

Coming up: Whitworth will jump into the Northwest Conference schedule with home matches against Lewis & Clark and Linfield on September 19-20, respectively.