MONTEVALLO, Ala. — When the final account of the 2026 Trevecca Nazarene University women's soccer is taken, the season may be viewed through a lot of different lenses. On the positive side, the Trojans posted their first winning season since 2022, and after missing out on the postseason in Matheus Mello's first campaign, the Trojans found their way into the field for the Gulf South Conference Championship. There were a number of marked improvements from 2025 to 2026. A short recap of the season is listed below.
On Sunday, the season came to an end in the GSC quarterfinal. Trevecca (7-6-4) headed south to take on the top-seeded University of Montevallo Falcons (15-2-1), and the Trojans fell in the match 6-0.
THE SERIES
The Trojans continue to struggle against the Falcons, as Montevallo has won five of the seven all-time meetings, and the Trojans are still in search of their first ever victory. Montevallo holds the lead, 5-0-2.
THE MATCH
Montevallo applied pressure from the opening kick-off, but Trevecca held their own early. Trevecca tried to deny time and space in the defensive third, and while the Falcons possessed the ball for long stretches, the Trojans kept the match goalless for nearly the first 20 minutes.
Montevallo broke through in the 19th minute when Isabel Dillehay put the ball in the net, and in the 35th minute, Montevallo doubled their lead when Elise Marquardt scored, and at intermission, the Falcons led 2-0.
As the match wore on, the Falcons showed the offensive strength that earned them the top seed in the GSC tournament. Montevallo tallied four more times in the second half, and the Trojans were unable to find their offense, as Montevallo took the win, 6-0.
GOALKEEPERS:
Trevecca -
Mary Bauchou (L, 3-2-1) - 90 Minutes Played, 6 GA, 4 SV
Montevallo - Jolie Cazale (W, 11-1-0) - 90 Minutes Played, SHO (7), 1 SV
SCORING:
18:35 - UM: Isabella Dillehay (5, Natalie Silgar, Lainey Farabaugh)
34:38 - UM: Elise Marquardt (3, Natalie Silgar)
45:33 - UM: Janelle Torres (5, Karsyn Ross)
53:38 - UM: Natalie Silgar (4, Unassisted)
60:12 - UM: Lainey Farabaugh (14, Karsyn Ross)
71:04 - UM: Ayla Ertekin (12, Janelle Torres)
QUICK SEASON REVIEW
The Trojans increased their win total from four to seven and doubled their GSC victories from two to four in Mello's second season. Trevecca scored 30 goals, 12 more than in 2025, and doubled its assist total to 30. The Trojans also won four road matches after winning one last season.
The 30 assists rank third in Trevecca's NCAA era and are its most since 2015. Fourteen players scored, led by Anna Farrell and Elsa Bengtsson with six goals and 16 points apiece. Both point totals tie for seventh on the NCAA-era season list. Farrell doubled her 2025 goals and points, while Kylie Bradshaw produced 10 points and her first three collegiate goals, including two game-winners.
Trevecca earned its first wins over Lee and Valdosta State, including a 1-0 victory over then-No. 9 Lee on Sept. 23. Bengtsson earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week on Sept. 9. Dani Witsman and Penelope Charroin earned GSC Defender of the Week and Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively, on Sept. 29.
Mello is 11-13-9 through his first two seasons.
