The Jones College women’s soccer team enters the 2026 season looking to continue the success the program has built over the years.
After going to the NJCAA Division II national tournament last season, the Bobcats return an experienced sophomore group while also bringing in over ten freshmen.
Head coach Dolores Deasley has helped make the Jones Women’s soccer team known as a consistent winner, and with a new team each year, that starts with who she brings into the program.
“I think the biggest part of the equation is recruiting the right kids that truly want to be here,” Deasley said. “After that it’s having your standards, sticking to those standards, and holding everyone accountable to them. We have a great group of women that genuinely buy into what we are all about and what we represent.”
With half of the roster being freshmen, the returning players will be looked at to take on a bigger role this season.
Jenny Huerzeler returns in goal, while the backline will be returning Abby Duncan, Bayleigh Driskell, Mary Katherine Gunter and Crissi Tenner. Captains Sofia Monico and Katie Hennington will lead the midfield, with Jameyah Hubbard and Graison Holder returning on the attack.
“I expect all of my returners to take huge steps forward,” Deasley said. “They have been here a full year now, so they know the ropes, and they know what’s expected. Of course everyone develops at different rates, but we are depending on this group to carry us through the year.”
While the sophomore group brings back experience, the Bobcats will still have several new faces that could see time this season.
With so many freshmen on the roster, the team will have to find ways to get production from its younger players as the season moves along.
“Every team is new, and you start fresh every year,” Deasley said. “We expect the sophomore group to lead the way as they have a little bit more experience under their belt, but we have 15 freshmen, so we basically have to go back to the beginning and coach them on our systems, standards, and how we want to play.”
Jones will have little time to ease into the season, with several tough matchups on the schedule that will test the Bobcats early.
The Bobcats have already picked up two wins to start the season off, a 2-0 win against #2 Dallas Brookhaven and a 5-0 win against St. Louis. The team’s schedule is primarily made up of in-region games while also facing several out-of-region opponents, including Johnson County, Northeast out of Nebraska and Southern Union.
Johnson County will be one of the bigger tests on the schedule. That team spent much of last season ranked No. 1 before Jones knocked them out of the national tournament.
“That will be a huge game, and we know they will be out for redemption,” Deasley said.
The competition will continue when the Bobcats get into conference play. Six teams from the conference were ranked inside the NJCAA Top 20 heading into the season.
“I always say our conference is the toughest conference in the country,” Deasley said. “We have 6 teams just from our conference ranked in the NJCAA top 20 as of last week. So highly competitive, and there are no easy or comfortable games moving forward.”
Despite having a young roster, this group really pressed hard throughout the offseason and has come together well.
“I would say this team is very hard-working and hungry for success,” Deasley said. “We have some great leadership from our sophomore group and just lots of high-caliber character across the board. They have been a joy to work with so far, and we are excited to get the regular season rolling.”
With a tough schedule and several new players stepping into bigger roles, Jones will look to put the pieces together as the season moves forward.
The Bobcats will once again be expected to compete for a Region 23 championship and make another trip to the national tournament. With the winning culture coach Deasley has built at Jones, this year’s team will look to continue the success.
Catch the Bobcats at home September 15 at 5:45 p.m. as they start the MACCC season against East Mississippi.
by Jackson Vella
