CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi soccer team finally gets back on the pitch on Wednesday night, hosting Tarleton State at the Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer and Track & Field Stadium to kick off the 2026 season.
The Islanders head into the new year trying to continue momentum into year three of the
Daniel Clitnovici era, which has seen a winning record of 15-13-11 over the previous two seasons back-to-back trips to the Southland Conference Soccer Championship. The team's berth last year made it seven in a row dating back to 2019 and nine overall in the history of the program.
Heading into 2026, A&M-Corpus Christi brings with it a lot more continuity with its roster, bringing back 15 returners for another go round in a stark increase from the nine that they returned prior to last year. Included in this group are its four leading minutes earners from last year in
Emmie Barton,
Ashley Wilson,
Dakota Merino and
Alisa Divano, primary goalkeeper
Jessie Spurrell and sophomore standout
MyJoi Anderson, who finished tied for second on the team in points in 2025 during her first taste of collegiate action. In addition, the team will get back key contributors in
Cilia Leal Cardona,
Vivianna Sykes and
Jenna Largent, with the former two going down with injury midway through productive campaigns and the latter missing the entirety of her first season on the Island.
To kick things off, the Islanders take on a familiar opponent in the Texans, whom they have faced off with in nonconference play in each of the last three seasons. They were handed a 2-0 defeat in last year's matchup in Stephenville, but this marked the first time that they had failed to earn at least one point in a game against their in-state opponents, as they kicked off the all-time series with a road win in 2023 before then drawing on their home field the year after.
Wednesday's game can be watched live on ESPN+ with
Steven King on the call. The live stats can also be followed along with as they happen.
Game 1 // A&M-Corpus Christi vs Tarleton State
Date: Wednesday, August 12
Time: 7:00 p.m. CT
Location: Dr. Jack Dugan Family Soccer and Track & Field Stadium // Corpus Christi, TX
Game Notes
Watch Live
Live Stats
Tickets
Socials:
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