University of Richmond Athletics
Season Preview: Spiders Set for Sunday 2026 Opener as A10 Announces Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
08/10/2026 | Women's Soccer
RICHMOND, Va. – The University of Richmond women's soccer team opens the 2026 regular season Sunday, Aug. 16, hosting Wofford at 2 p.m. at President's Field at River Road. The match will stream live on ESPN+.
The Spiders were selected 12th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches and announced by the league office Monday.
Richmond returns Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection Emma Newman, who led the Spiders with six goals, 14 points, 43 shots and 24 shots on goal while starting all 18 matches in 2025. Newman became Richmond's first A-10 All-Rookie honoree since 2016 and the program's first all-conference selection of any kind since 2019. She tied the program's single-match record with four goals in her collegiate debut against VMI and later added goals against Queens and St. Bonaventure.
The Spiders also return goalkeeper Veronica Rrapi, who started 16 matches and logged 1,440 minutes last season. Rrapi posted a 0.88 goals-against average, an .857 save percentage, 84 saves and six shutouts while holding 13 opponents to one goal or fewer.
Richmond finished the 2025 season with a 4-7-7 overall record and a 1-5-4 mark in conference play. The Spiders allowed just 17 goals in 18 matches and recorded six shutouts, including three consecutive clean sheets against Rhode Island, Loyola Chicago and Saint Joseph's. Richmond closed the season with a 2-1 victory over St. Bonaventure.
Head coach Adam Denton enters his fourth season at the helm alongside assistant coaches Errin Stanton (4th season) and Jesse Newton (1st season). Newton joined the Richmond staff during the offseason after serving as an assistant coach and director of player development at Oakland.
Sunday's match marks the second all-time meeting between Richmond and Wofford. The Spiders won the inaugural matchup 1-0 on Aug. 24, 2025, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Zinn scored her first collegiate goal in the third minute off an assist from Lishia, while Rrapi made one save to secure the shutout.
Richmond averaged 9.3 shots per match and scored 15 goals in 2025. Seven Spiders found the back of the net, led by Newman's six goals.
2026 Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
The Spiders were selected 12th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll, as voted on by the conference's head coaches and announced by the league office Monday.
Richmond returns Atlantic 10 All-Rookie selection Emma Newman, who led the Spiders with six goals, 14 points, 43 shots and 24 shots on goal while starting all 18 matches in 2025. Newman became Richmond's first A-10 All-Rookie honoree since 2016 and the program's first all-conference selection of any kind since 2019. She tied the program's single-match record with four goals in her collegiate debut against VMI and later added goals against Queens and St. Bonaventure.
The Spiders also return goalkeeper Veronica Rrapi, who started 16 matches and logged 1,440 minutes last season. Rrapi posted a 0.88 goals-against average, an .857 save percentage, 84 saves and six shutouts while holding 13 opponents to one goal or fewer.
Richmond finished the 2025 season with a 4-7-7 overall record and a 1-5-4 mark in conference play. The Spiders allowed just 17 goals in 18 matches and recorded six shutouts, including three consecutive clean sheets against Rhode Island, Loyola Chicago and Saint Joseph's. Richmond closed the season with a 2-1 victory over St. Bonaventure.
Head coach Adam Denton enters his fourth season at the helm alongside assistant coaches Errin Stanton (4th season) and Jesse Newton (1st season). Newton joined the Richmond staff during the offseason after serving as an assistant coach and director of player development at Oakland.
Sunday's match marks the second all-time meeting between Richmond and Wofford. The Spiders won the inaugural matchup 1-0 on Aug. 24, 2025, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Zinn scored her first collegiate goal in the third minute off an assist from Lishia, while Rrapi made one save to secure the shutout.
Richmond averaged 9.3 shots per match and scored 15 goals in 2025. Seven Spiders found the back of the net, led by Newman's six goals.
2026 Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
- Dayton – 188 (9)
- Saint Louis – 182 (3)
- Rhode Island – 164 (1)
- Fordham – 135
- Loyola Chicago – 133
- Duquesne – 130
- VCU – 111 (1)
- La Salle – 92
- George Mason – 90
- Davidson – 71
- Saint Joseph's – 64
- Richmond – 55
- George Washington – 41
- St. Bonaventure – 14
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerWednesday, August 05
Wednesday, September 17
Thursday, August 21
Friday, August 15