KLAMATH FALLS – Coming off their seventh 10-win season in the last nine seasons and their ninth-straight postseason appearance, the Oregon Tech women's soccer team looks to continue the success of the past decade heading into the 2026 season.
 
Change will be apparent for Tom Moore heading into his fourth season, as six senior starters have graduated, with the team needing to replace 27 of 37 goals scored from a season ago, along with multiple starters from the defensive end of the field.
 
It was defense that Moore looked to in the offseason.
 
"Our recruiting class was defensive minded; the job was to solidify our defense. We had to fill some spots due to graduation, and I think we've done that in our recruiting to get the defense where we think it should be.
 
Four everyday starters are back, along with eight players who provided key minutes in reserve roles. In addition, nine newcomers have joined the ranks – six freshmen and three transfers – all part of a 25-player lineup.
 
"This is the most inexperienced team I've had since I got here, but it can also be a good thing," the head coach said. "Everyone is really spongy, the information I try to give them really sticks. The leadership has put us in a really good spot, there is no separation in the group. We have a group that is really excited and am happy to see the energy they have brought to every training session. Obviously, we have a good mix of returners and new players and they all have latched on to each other. The team chemistry is building."
 
Experience in goal is something Tech has, as the tandem of junior Emma Beavin and senior Elle Hillar combined to play all 1710 minutes in 2025. Beavin earned All-Cascade Conference honors, posting a 0.98 goals against average – including four shutouts – in 12 starts, before a late-season injury ended the year. Hillar finished with a team-best seven wins and a 1.94 GAA and got the start in the CCC Championships.
 
In addition, redshirt sophomore Paige Everson is in her third season in the program and senior Gracelyn Hedlund, who joined the team this fall after three years away from the sport, added quality depth.
 
Moore likes what he sees in the goalkeeper position.
 
"It is a good continuous battle. We have four keepers, including two players who played a lot last season. You don't want it to be a one-person race, as with that, it is difficult to keep competitiveness going. I think they are all doing well during the preseason and our non-conference games will be key to see who we are going to roll with."
 
In the centerback role, the Lady Owls have options – including a pair of seniors in Shelby Geiger and Ariela Sanchez-Hermosillo. Geiger was a mainstay in the lineup in 2025, starting 14 matches, while Sanchez-Hermosillo played in 15 matches, including five starts. Both will be pushed by freshmen Olivia Kern, an all-state player from New Mexico, and Alyssa Hudman, a state champion from Hawaii.
 
"There is a pool of players who have experience," Moore said of the central defenders. "Both Shelby and Ariela played as center backs and did a nice job in the spring and have put the work in and we've added some depth there. The key to determine who will be playing down the middle of the field and then add some exciting players on the wide."
 
On the outside, sophomore Naaliyah Robinson looks to transition to a back, joined by freshman Madeline Brewster from North Eugene. Robinson played last season in the midfield and scored a pair of goals, while Brewster was a 5A all-state pick as a senior.
 
"Madeline is a left-footed player and has unique qualities and hasn't been in a system where she has to attack as much as I like players to attack, its something she's getting used to," Moore said. "Naaliyah has settled into the position. She's a dangerous attacking player when she pushes forward, she can serve the long ball, she can score from distance and she's good in the air. We hope she is someone who can slide into that spot."
 
At the holding-mid spot, two returners look to hold down the slot – sophomore Alejandra Salcedo and senior Olivia Mendoza. Salcedo was a part-time starter and played in 16 matches, scoring a goal and adding two assists, while Mendoza tallied a goal, but was hampered by injuries much of the year.
 
"I thought Alejandra did a great job in the second half of the season, she has put work in during the offseason and took command of that position," Moore mentioned. "Olivia is a really good leader on the field and has a high soccer IQ."
 
Squarely in the mix in the defensive third are transfers Chelsea Gonzalez and Cali McFarland. Gonzalez was a 2-year starter at Reedley CC and earned All-Garden Valley Conference honors, while McFarland earned All-Central Valley Conference honors last season at Taft CC.
 
"Both Chelsea and Cali are really solid players," Moore said. "It takes time to adapt to a new program, but our team chemistry is coming together faster and has allowed them to get comfortable. They will be key to our success."
 
In the central midfield, Moore has moved Kaylie Hashizaki to a new role and paired her with redshirt sophomore Kaelyn Jaentsch. Hashizaki is the most experienced player on the squad, seeing action in 50 games in an OIT kit – most at an outside back spot. Jaentsch used 2025 as a redshirt year and is poised for a breakout season. In addition, freshman Autumn Collman from Sandy High will provide key depth.
 
"We've finally gotten KK (Hashizaki) out of the outside as she is really good technically and has been playing that 6-8-10 spot," Moore said. "Kaelyn has stepped up and taken control of some of the creativity we need in the midfield."
 
At the attacking midfield slots, sophomore Maegan Cooper looks to build off a quality 2025 season where she scored a pair of goals in the final three weeks of the season and became a key piece off the bench. Joining Cooper is transfer Ramera Bradley of Highline CC and freshman Rhacelyn Respicio from Hilo, Hawaii. Bradley has a knack for finding the net, scoring seven goals with seven helpers last season, earning All-NWAC West Division honors. Respicio led her team to the 2025 Hawaii Division II state title and earned state Player of the Year honors as a sophomore.
 
"I am really happy with our wide play, Moore remarked. "Maegan really became assertive at the end of last season and has done a great job in the preseason. Ramera is really explosive and hope that she can add to the speed that we've had in the past. She is very technical and aggressive going forward, it's the type of player you don't see often in our league. Rhacelyn is very efficient, gives us good crosses, good looks and is a good combination player."
 
Veteran players look to lock down the forward role, paced by seniors Ryane Mattox and Makahl Chambers, along with junior Caitlyn Price. The trio will be pushed by fellow returners, sophomore Kaia Fetch and redshirt freshman Beta Valentine.
 
Mattox is the top returning scorer for the squad, posting two goals with four assists last season and is the only player on the current roster to play in all 19 games in 2025. Chambers has made 45 appearances in for the Lady Owls, while Price scored four goals as a freshman and was off to a great start last year before missing the final 13 games due to injury. Both Fetch and Valentine played in limited roles – but will have expanded opportunities in 2026.
 
"We are moving Ryane up top, she has been scoring goals in training up there," Moore said. "We know she can play the wide, but she is willing to put in the work in the box. Beta has turned it up, we knew she'd be a good 4-year player and is really comfortable. Makahl has good size and good speed and gives defenders a hard time. Getting Caitlyn back with her experience is such a plus for us and her ability to find the goal. We are looking to get Kaia back in the fold as she played key minutes for us last year."
 
The Lady Owls were picked sixth in the CCC Preseason Coaches' Poll – the same spot they finished the 2025 season. Moore has challenged the team with a tough preseason slate – early road dates at Embry-Riddle and Benedictine Mesa in Arizona will be a key test. The 12-game league slate will feature OIT playing each of the five teams ahead of them in the preseason poll (College of Idaho, Eastern Oregon, Southern Oregon, Rocky Mountain and Carroll) in the Basin – a definite advantage for Tech.
 
"The goal and the expectation is to finish in the Top-4 and that is a really good starting spot," Moore said. We'll have some really good competition at the beginning of the year to keep us on our toes. The level of the conference is up and we will be battle tested after going through the league season and the hope is we will put ourselves in a position to advance on."