Wednesday, October 28
Stockton, CA
6:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
at
Pacific
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
10/26/2026 3:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. - Saint Mary's women's soccer is set for its final two-match week of the WCC regular season, first taking on the Pacific Tigers in Stockton this Wednesday before returning home to host Seattle U on Saturday. The Gaels currently hold the highest Winning Percentage in the WCC at .719 and will look to extend their current nine-match unbeaten streak against Pacific dating back to 2017.
Saturday's match against the Redhawks will have massive playoff implications with the Gaels entering the week just a point behind Seattle for the fourth and final spot in this year's WCC Tournament. The two programs will meet for just the fourth time as Saint Mary's will look for its first ever win in its series history. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+ and tickets for Saturday's home contest can be bought online at smcgaels.com/tickets.
GAME COVERAGE AND INFORMATION
WSOC | Saint Mary's at Pacific | Knowles Field
Stockton, Calif. | Oct. 28 | 6 p.m.
Live Stats | ESPN+
WSOC | Saint Mary's vs. Seattle U | Saint Mary's Stadium
Moraga, Calif. | Oct. 31 | 1 p.m.
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Tickets
GAELS OUTLOOK
Gritty Gaels Secure Their First Point at Buck Shaw Field Since 2008…
This past Saturday, the Gaels marched into Santa Clara and battled the Broncos to an impressive 1-1 draw, their first point at Buck Shaw Field in 18 years. After the Gaels fell behind four minutes in, a great through-ball from freshman Elizabeth Vega found senior Brittany Holden, who found the back of the net for her second goal of the season and the equalizer just 25 seconds later. While the first half was full of back-and-forth action, the match took a turn after a red card from junior Maddie Lucas just a minute into the second half.
Despite going down a player, the Gaels continued to fight and preserve a 1-1 draw despite 20 second-half shots for the Broncos. Goalkeeper Kate Plachy was outstanding once again, tying her season-high with eight saves and bringing her career total to 165 saves, now eighth all-time among Gael goalkeepers. Plachy's Goals-Against-Average of 0.59 this season is now 2nd all-time in single-season history among Gael goalkeepers, surpassing her previous single-season record of 0.61 a season ago. Saint Mary's earned a result against Santa Clara for the second consecutive season, the first time that has been done in 42 all-time matches with the Broncos.
Gaels In The Top-Four Hunt…
The Gaels are in search of a berth to the first-ever West Coast Conference Tournament, which will consist of the top four teams in regular season play with the host site awarded to the regular season champions. With Saturday's draw, Saint Mary's currently sits just outside the top four in fifth place at ten points, one point behind Seattle U despite holding the best defense in the WCC with a 0.44 Goals-Against-Average.
Before heading to Moraga, the Redhawks will head to Merlo Field to take on Portland this Wednesday, while a top-three midweek matchup between third-place Santa Clara and first-place Pepperdine could have serious implications in the WCC standings. With the schedule winding down, the Gaels will then host Pepperdine on Senior Day for what could be a season-deciding match for Saint Mary's, who look to finish what they started after their highest WCC finish in program history a season ago.
Plachy Earns Department Student Athlete of the Week…
After her eight-save performance this past Saturday, redshirt junior goalkeeper Kate Plachy earned her first Department Student Athlete of the Week award of the season. This is now the third women's soccer representative of the award this season after Brooklyn Smith took home the honors a week ago for her game-winning goal versus San Diego, while Savannah Schwarze took home the first award of the season for her three-assist performance versus Fresno State.
Series History…
The Gaels have enjoyed their recent history against Pacific, holding a nine-game unbeaten streak dating back to 2017. Last year's match featured a 1-0 victory in Moraga highlighted by an 87th-minute game-winner from forward Sydney Middaugh. Saint Mary's has outscored Pacific 5-1 over its last three meetings and will look to make it ten straight unbeaten against the Tigers on Wednesday. As for the Redhawks, the Gaels are in search of their first victory all-time against Seattle, currently 0-3 all-time, last hosting Seattle back in 2014. The Redhawks defended home turf last season with a 2-0 victory as the Gaels will look to do the same, putting their 5-1-2 home record on the line on Saturday.
ABOUT THE TIGERS (1-12-2, 0-4-2 WCC)
Picked to finish ninth in the preseason coaches poll, the Pacific Tigers are in search of their first West Coast Conference victory of the season after two draws and four losses to open their conference season. The Tigers are led by second year head coach Jeff Freeman, who joined the Tigers after an illustrious stretch as associate head coach at Illinois, in which he helped lead the Fighting Illini to the second round of the NCAA Tournament three times with one Sweet 16 appearance back in 2013.
After starting their non-conference campaign with seven consecutive defeats, the Tigers have picked up some quality results in conference play, drawing both Portland and San Francisco on the road while nearly drawing Santa Clara at Buck Shaw Field. The Tigers are led by senior forward Kaya Rosa, who leads the team with eight goals this season. Prior to their last match, Rosa had scored a goal in five consecutive matches for Pacific. Freshman goalkeeper Ava Wells also leads the conference in saves with a tally of 71 this season in her 13 matches played.
ABOUT THE REDHAWKS (9-4-4, 3-1-2 WCC)
Beginning their WCC era a season ago with a fourth-place finish, the Seattle Redhawks were picked to finish fifth in this year's preseason coaches poll and are in search of their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. The Redhawks are led by long-time head coach Julie Woodward, who enters her 30th season as head coach after a stellar playing career for the Redhawks where she was a two-time All-American selection.
Undefeated at home this season, the Redhawks have enjoyed a strong start to their second WCC campaign, winning three of their first four matches before drawing top-four members Santa Clara and LMU. Senior forward Kailee Wilson has been outstanding here in 2026, ranking top three in the conference in both goals (8) and assists (6), including an 84th-minute goal to salvage a draw versus LMU this past Saturday. All-WCC Preseason selection U'i Kaaihue ranks fourth in the conference in points (20), while junior midfielder Kyla Schuster leads the WCC in assists this season with eight.
Kick off for Wednesday's match is slated for 6 p.m., with Saturday's match beginning at 1 p.m. at Saint Mary's Stadium. Both matches can be streamed live on ESPN+, with tickets for Saturday's match available HERE.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Saturday's match against the Redhawks will have massive playoff implications with the Gaels entering the week just a point behind Seattle for the fourth and final spot in this year's WCC Tournament. The two programs will meet for just the fourth time as Saint Mary's will look for its first ever win in its series history. Both matches will be streamed live on ESPN+ and tickets for Saturday's home contest can be bought online at smcgaels.com/tickets.
GAME COVERAGE AND INFORMATION
WSOC | Saint Mary's at Pacific | Knowles Field
Stockton, Calif. | Oct. 28 | 6 p.m.
Live Stats | ESPN+
WSOC | Saint Mary's vs. Seattle U | Saint Mary's Stadium
Moraga, Calif. | Oct. 31 | 1 p.m.
Live Stats | ESPN+ | Tickets
GAELS OUTLOOK
Gritty Gaels Secure Their First Point at Buck Shaw Field Since 2008…
This past Saturday, the Gaels marched into Santa Clara and battled the Broncos to an impressive 1-1 draw, their first point at Buck Shaw Field in 18 years. After the Gaels fell behind four minutes in, a great through-ball from freshman Elizabeth Vega found senior Brittany Holden, who found the back of the net for her second goal of the season and the equalizer just 25 seconds later. While the first half was full of back-and-forth action, the match took a turn after a red card from junior Maddie Lucas just a minute into the second half.
Despite going down a player, the Gaels continued to fight and preserve a 1-1 draw despite 20 second-half shots for the Broncos. Goalkeeper Kate Plachy was outstanding once again, tying her season-high with eight saves and bringing her career total to 165 saves, now eighth all-time among Gael goalkeepers. Plachy's Goals-Against-Average of 0.59 this season is now 2nd all-time in single-season history among Gael goalkeepers, surpassing her previous single-season record of 0.61 a season ago. Saint Mary's earned a result against Santa Clara for the second consecutive season, the first time that has been done in 42 all-time matches with the Broncos.
Gaels In The Top-Four Hunt…
The Gaels are in search of a berth to the first-ever West Coast Conference Tournament, which will consist of the top four teams in regular season play with the host site awarded to the regular season champions. With Saturday's draw, Saint Mary's currently sits just outside the top four in fifth place at ten points, one point behind Seattle U despite holding the best defense in the WCC with a 0.44 Goals-Against-Average.
Before heading to Moraga, the Redhawks will head to Merlo Field to take on Portland this Wednesday, while a top-three midweek matchup between third-place Santa Clara and first-place Pepperdine could have serious implications in the WCC standings. With the schedule winding down, the Gaels will then host Pepperdine on Senior Day for what could be a season-deciding match for Saint Mary's, who look to finish what they started after their highest WCC finish in program history a season ago.
Plachy Earns Department Student Athlete of the Week…
After her eight-save performance this past Saturday, redshirt junior goalkeeper Kate Plachy earned her first Department Student Athlete of the Week award of the season. This is now the third women's soccer representative of the award this season after Brooklyn Smith took home the honors a week ago for her game-winning goal versus San Diego, while Savannah Schwarze took home the first award of the season for her three-assist performance versus Fresno State.
Series History…
The Gaels have enjoyed their recent history against Pacific, holding a nine-game unbeaten streak dating back to 2017. Last year's match featured a 1-0 victory in Moraga highlighted by an 87th-minute game-winner from forward Sydney Middaugh. Saint Mary's has outscored Pacific 5-1 over its last three meetings and will look to make it ten straight unbeaten against the Tigers on Wednesday. As for the Redhawks, the Gaels are in search of their first victory all-time against Seattle, currently 0-3 all-time, last hosting Seattle back in 2014. The Redhawks defended home turf last season with a 2-0 victory as the Gaels will look to do the same, putting their 5-1-2 home record on the line on Saturday.
ABOUT THE TIGERS (1-12-2, 0-4-2 WCC)
Picked to finish ninth in the preseason coaches poll, the Pacific Tigers are in search of their first West Coast Conference victory of the season after two draws and four losses to open their conference season. The Tigers are led by second year head coach Jeff Freeman, who joined the Tigers after an illustrious stretch as associate head coach at Illinois, in which he helped lead the Fighting Illini to the second round of the NCAA Tournament three times with one Sweet 16 appearance back in 2013.
After starting their non-conference campaign with seven consecutive defeats, the Tigers have picked up some quality results in conference play, drawing both Portland and San Francisco on the road while nearly drawing Santa Clara at Buck Shaw Field. The Tigers are led by senior forward Kaya Rosa, who leads the team with eight goals this season. Prior to their last match, Rosa had scored a goal in five consecutive matches for Pacific. Freshman goalkeeper Ava Wells also leads the conference in saves with a tally of 71 this season in her 13 matches played.
ABOUT THE REDHAWKS (9-4-4, 3-1-2 WCC)
Beginning their WCC era a season ago with a fourth-place finish, the Seattle Redhawks were picked to finish fifth in this year's preseason coaches poll and are in search of their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. The Redhawks are led by long-time head coach Julie Woodward, who enters her 30th season as head coach after a stellar playing career for the Redhawks where she was a two-time All-American selection.
Undefeated at home this season, the Redhawks have enjoyed a strong start to their second WCC campaign, winning three of their first four matches before drawing top-four members Santa Clara and LMU. Senior forward Kailee Wilson has been outstanding here in 2026, ranking top three in the conference in both goals (8) and assists (6), including an 84th-minute goal to salvage a draw versus LMU this past Saturday. All-WCC Preseason selection U'i Kaaihue ranks fourth in the conference in points (20), while junior midfielder Kyla Schuster leads the WCC in assists this season with eight.
Kick off for Wednesday's match is slated for 6 p.m., with Saturday's match beginning at 1 p.m. at Saint Mary's Stadium. Both matches can be streamed live on ESPN+, with tickets for Saturday's match available HERE.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
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