CLAREMORE, Okla. - Rogers State women's soccer's 2026 campaign is set to kick off this Thursday in Tyler, Texas, and Sunday in Alva, Oklahoma.
 
The Alex Latorre era will commence on Thursday in Tyler, Texas, against the UT Tyler Patriots at the Citizens 1st Bank-Perkins Soccer Complex at 6 p.m. The week will conclude against the Northwestern Oklahoma State Rangers at a NEW start time of 6 p.m. at Ranger Soccer Field.
 
When asked about the excitement of stepping on campus, Latorre said, "It's been really exciting to take over a historic program in a great conference. There's so much potential here. I'm really excited to take this program where it needs to be."
 
MEET HEAD COACH ALEX LATORRE
In March 2026, Latorre was appointed as the seventh head coach of the Hillcat women's soccer program.
 
Latorre joins the Hillcat family after a successful stint at Emmanuel University in Franklin Springs, Georgia, where he led the team to its first region championship and hosted the conference quarterfinals for the first time during the 2025 season.
 
Prior to his role at Emmanuel, Latorre served as an assistant men's coach at Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama. During his time with the Warhawks, he helped the team reach the conference semifinals in the 2022-23 season. His coaching experience also includes positions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, York University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and Oklahoma Christian University.
 
As a player, Latorre excelled at Oklahoma Christian from 1998 to 2002, where he captained the team in his junior and senior years. He played a key role in one of the program's best seasons in 2001, leading the Eagles to a 17-4-1 record and a trip to the NAIA National Quarterfinals. He scored 16 goals and recorded 12 assists over four seasons, earning All-Sooner Athletic Conference Second Team honors in 2001. Latorre holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from Oklahoma Christian.
 
His professional playing career includes stints with the Kansas City Attack from 2000 to 2001 and the Minnesota Thunder from 2003 to 2004.
 
Born in Brazil, Latorre has spent his adult life in the United States. He attended high school in Olathe, Kansas, where he earned Defender of the Year honors and received All-State, All-Region, and All-Metro honors, helping Olathe East High School secure a Class 6A State Championship.
 
 PRESEASON REPORT
The Hillcats women's soccer team will feature 28 players this season, including 14 returning athletes, eight true freshmen, and six transfers. They aim to improve from a 2-8-7 overall record (2-6-4 in the MIAA) in 2025, where they narrowly missed the MIAA Tournament with a ninth-place finish.
 
"They are doing a great job," Latorre said about the team responding to new leadership this season. "As a player, I had three different head coaches, so I understand what they're going through. Being with someone for a few years and building a relationship or adapting to their style can be really frustrating during the transition. But they've been really open-minded. They're hungry to keep getting better and to push themselves. They've been really coachable, and I really appreciate that about them."
 
The Hillcats got straight to work after summer break with an exhibition against NCAA Division I Oral Roberts on Aug. 15 in Tulsa. With just a couple of days of preparation, the team made a good first impression on the coaching staff.
 
When asked if any players have stood out so far, Latorre said, "To be completely transparent, every single player who was available to play impressed me. We played Division I Oral Roberts, which is ranked third in the region, and I played every player who wasn't on the injury list. Everyone fought and controlled what they could really well. So far, I'm impressed with everyone. I have a good problem on my hands trying to determine who will be in the starting 11."
 
He added, "I'm really impressed with the freshmen because there's a huge transition from high school and club to college. The speed of play is a lot faster and stronger, especially at the Division I level. They did not back down. I'm really impressed with the whole team, but especially with the freshmen, because everything is so new to them. So far, I'm really pleased."
 
NON-CONFERENCE SLATE
RSU will kick off the season with a three-match road stand, starting with a test against UT Tyler on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. in Tyler, Texas. The team will then head to Alva on Aug. 30 to take on Northwest Oklahoma State and return the following Friday to face Harding in Searcy, Arkansas.
 
The 2026 home opener is slated for Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. against Ouachita Baptist. They will wrap up non-conference play on Sept. 12 at 1 p.m. in Ada against East Central.
 
When asked what he hopes the team accomplishes during the non-conference slate, Latorre said, "Our formation, and how they can continue to grow in that. What I'm looking for in non-conference games is for them to accomplish our objectives and desired behaviors within the system—what we're trying to achieve every day. Every day includes some kind of tactical session, and I want to see how they keep applying it in these games. Ultimately, what matters is September when the conference starts, and that's what we're working toward. I'm giving a chance to everyone, so these non-conference games will be perfect for them."

 CONFERENCE OUTLOOK
The Hillcats were ranked 11th in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll for the second consecutive season, receiving 41 points and finishing ahead of Missouri Southern and Newman.
 
"The MIAA is a really strong conference, one of the best in Division II," Latorre said. "But that also shows how competitive it is. One mistake can make a difference in whether a team advances to the next level. Everything's really close, and I know it's going to be a challenging conference. I believe we have the tools and resources to compete against those teams, and hopefully this year we can demonstrate that."
 
Washburn, the defending NCAA Central Region champion, topped the poll with seven first-place votes. Pittsburg State, the reigning MIAA champion, followed closely in second place with six first-place selections. Central Missouri was ranked third with 119 points, while Missouri Western, the MIAA Tournament champion, secured the fourth spot with 108 points. Central Oklahoma rounded out the top five with 96 points.
 
MIAA play will begin on Sept. 18 against Fort Hays State at Soldier Field at 7 p.m. The Hillcats' next home game is scheduled for the following Sunday at noon against Nebraska-Kearney. Additional home games include contests against Washburn on Oct. 9, Newman on Oct. 11, Central Missouri on Oct. 16, and Senior Day against Missouri Southern on Oct. 18.
 
The Hillcats will travel for conference play against Central Oklahoma on Sept. 25, Northeastern State on Oct. 2, Pittsburg State on Oct. 4, Missouri Western on Oct. 23, Northwest Missouri State on Oct. 25, and Emporia State on Oct. 28.
 
The top four teams in the final regular-season standings will host the opening round of the MIAA Tournament on Nov. 1. Semifinal matches are scheduled for Nov. 6, and the championship match will take place on Nov. 8 in Wichita, Kansas, with specific times and locations to be announced following the conclusion of the regular season.
 
MEET THE FORWARDS
The Hillcats will roster six forward attackers this season, featuring five returners and one freshman.
 
Khari Carreno made an impact on the offensive side of the pitch in her first season with the Hillcats in 2025. The Union High School product appeared in 15 matches, earning 11 starts. The Broken Arrow native finished the season with four points after scoring goals against Harding and Newman, while also firing off 18 total shots, nine on goal.
 
Te Waiariki Read heads into her junior campaign with momentum after finishing with three points last season. The Whangarei, New Zealand, native played in 17 matches, making five starts, and contributed a goal against Washburn while assisting on another against Fort Hays State.
 
Sophomore Bella Holland also contributed to the scoring last season with a goal in the win over Missouri Southern. The Blackpool, England, native made 17 appearances, including four starts, during her freshman season.
 
Senior Savannah Green, who played in eight games (two starts) last season, and sophomore Taylor Mendez, who appeared in seven games during her freshman season, return for their second year at RSU.
 
Freshman Bailey Morrison, a Broken Arrow native, will aim to bolster the depth chart in her inaugural season.
 
 MEET THE MIDFIELDERS
Nine players, including four returnees, two transfers and three freshmen, will look to control the Hillcats' midfield.
 
Anna Hibbard returns for her senior season after an impressive junior campaign. The Inola native started all 12 games in which she appeared, bringing her career total to 41 appearances and 34 starts on the Hill. She has accumulated more than 2,900 minutes on the pitch over three seasons in the midfield.
 
Taylor Colmo returns for her senior season on the Hill. The O'Fallon, Missouri, native appeared in 14 games, including two starts, during her junior campaign. She scored her third goal for the Red and Navy in 2025 against Emporia State and recorded seven shots, with four on goal.
 
Sophomore Conley Knapp brings experience to the midfield after participating in 17 games, including 12 starts, in 2025. The El Reno native logged 912 minutes and fired off four shots, including two in the win over Newman.
 
Jenks High School product, Sophia Brandes, also returns for her sophomore season. She appeared in one game last season against Oklahoma Baptist, where she played 15 minutes and tallied a shot.  
 
Collinsville native Katie Fisher (Southwestern Christian) and Broken Arrow native Jillian Howk (Southern Nazarene) transferred into the program last summer. Freshmen Lydia Smith (Olathe, Kan.), Zoe Wehrman (San Diego, Calif.), and Cynthia Solis (Tulsa, Okla.) also joined the program this year and will look to help anchor the midfield in 2026.

MEET THE DEFENDERS
Rogers State will roster 10 defenders this season, consisting of three returners, four transfers, and three freshmen.
 
Lebanon, Ohio, native Rylee Shroder returns to the mix for her senior campaign after a strong junior year on the Hill. In 2024, Shroder appeared in 16 matches with 15 starts, totaling 979 minutes on the pitch. The former Wyoming Cowgirl made an immediate impact with an assist in the 1-1 draw against UT Dallas and played the full 90 minutes twice.
 
Kelsey Hogan aims to make an impact on the defensive side of the pitch in her senior season. Last year, the Frisco, Texas, native played in 15 matches with eight starts, logging 860 minutes on the field. She contributed to the scoring with a game-winning goal and added an assist against Newman, as well as another assist at Emporia State.
 
Kaya Eastman returns to the Hill for her second season after taking a redshirt last season.
 
The Hillcats will welcome four transfers and three freshmen to the team this season. Juniors Lauren Hanley (Oklahoma Baptist), Lani Waddle (Oklahoma Baptist), Jessica Powell (Texas State), and Sophia Anderson (Pittsburg State) join the program after stints at other NCAA institutions. Meanwhile, freshmen Kinsley Braughton (Jacksonville, Fla.), Rylen Walters (Oologah, Okla.), and Gabi Bedigrew (Norman, Okla.) will look to make their collegiate debuts for the Red and Navy.

MEET THE GOALKEEPERS
The keeper position will feature a pair of returners and a true freshman. The coaching staff has high expectations for this group, which combines veteran leadership with talented underclassmen heading into the season.
 
Calais Butts returns for her senior season after a historic junior year. In 2025, she earned a spot on the D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team and made history as the first Hillcat to receive the MIAA Goalkeeper of the Year award. She was also named to the All-MIAA Third Team.
 
"Cal brings not just experience, but also a lot of confidence to our back line and our team. We've seen her prove time and again that she is one of the best in this region, and we're excited about that," Latorre said about the reigning MIAA Goalkeeper of the Year. "She also brings great leadership and has been performing exceptionally well in practices and scrimmages."
 
A native of Edmonton, Canada, Butts started all 17 matches, logging 1,530 minutes of playtime. Her 121 saves, averaging 7.12 per game, led the MIAA and ranked fifth in NCAA Division II women's soccer at the end of the regular season. This total ties for the fourth-most saves in a single season in program history, matching Jordan Harris's 2013 record.
 
Also vying for time in goal are sophomore Eliza Naegle (Bountiful, Utah) and freshman Pyper Johnson. The coaching staff has praised both underclassmen, who have had great fall camps.
 
FINAL WORDS FROM COACH LATORRE
"We're extremely excited and heading in the right direction. Our goal is to make the conference tournament, and we are confident that we can do that. These girls are ready and bought in. We hope everyone comes to support us; it's just a matter of time before we start breaking records—hopefully sooner rather than later."