PORTALES, N.M. –The Eastern New Mexico women's soccer team enters the 2026 season with a renewed identity and a fresh roster that brings together a small group of returners and a large incoming class with plenty of potential.
With a new-look roster, the Greyhounds have spent the preseason building chemistry and establishing a strong foundation heading into the new season. While only a handful of players return from last year's squad, those returners provide valuable collegiate experience as the team welcomes several newcomers.
Among the returning players is
Addison Garver (No.20), who returns after playing a significant role in the midfield last season. Garver logged 1,454 minutes across 17 matches, starting in 16 of them.
Sophia Jeffres (No.2) also returns as a consistent starter for the Greyhounds with experience on the defensive side of the field, helping hold down the fort with 13 starts in 14 matches and a total of 1,113 minutes. From Rio Rancho, N.M.,
Arissa C'DeBaca (No. 25) is another returning Greyhound who was named to the LSC Commissioner's Fall Honor Roll.
The Greyhounds also welcome a few new additions and transfers to the team. Arissa Ruiz Da Costa (No.1) transferred from Lewis & Clark Community College,
Vyaney Sanchez (No.13) from Arlington Baptist University, and
Emaree Gibson (No.33) from Friends University with a previous recorded assist in a 3-2 victory over Bethel (Kans.).
With the incoming freshmen, the Greyhounds have a few pairs of players coming from the same high school.
Keira Gamboa (No.14) and
Raylene Carillo (No.15) both come from Las Cruces High School,
Saberina Mata (No.6) and
Nereida Porras (No.8) come from Caprock High School, and
Cassidy Zaragoza (No.18) and
Demari Allen (No.9) come from Midland High School. With 3 pairs of students who have already established play together creating a good foundation for a tightknit team
The Greyhounds also have a trio of returners from the same high school in
Lilliana Duncan,
Addison Garver and
Sophia Jeffres. Having multiple players who already know each other and have played together before has helped establish chemistry within this new-look team.
Some of the local freshmen who have joined the Greyhounds include
Aspen Esch (No.24) from Clovis, N.M., adding another player with a connection to the local area.
After making the transition from forward to goalkeeper,
Aja Gonzales from Clovis NM stepped into the goal and made an immediate impact. Despite only appearing in four matches as a goalkeeper last season, Gonzales made 22 saves. With building on her experience towards the end of the season, Gonzales will look to take on an even bigger role for the Greyhounds this season.
Chemistry has continued to develop throughout the preseason as the Greyhounds have worked to establish their identity as a new group. With returning experience, fresh talent and players who already have familiarity with one another, Eastern enters the season looking to set a new tone and build toward a successful 2026 campaign.
The Greyhounds' new-looking roster will look to make its mark early in the season, with the combination of experienced returners and newcomers providing a strong foundation for their opening match against New Mexico Highlands tonight.
THE MATCHUP
With last year's match between the two squads being canceled due to lightning in Las Vegas, the Hounds are looking to extend their three game win streak against the Cowgirls dating back to 2015. The last time the two played was in Portales in 2023 that resulted in a 2-1 victory for ENMU.
The Cowgirls had a tough season in 2025, picking up only one win on the year against Sul Ross state. They return two single goal scorers in Dalma Zsigo and Ninon Rigal, with Zsigo also recording two assists in 2025.
The game will kick off at 6 p.m. at Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium. A reminder to fans attending the game that ENMU has input a clear bag policy for the 2026-27 season.
The game will be streamed live on
FloCollege.
Live stats will be available here.
