BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — The University of South Carolina Beaufort soccer team opens the season Friday evening after completing two exhibition matches over the last few weeks. USCB looks to build off each of the last two seasons after making back-to-back Peach Belt Conference Tournaments.
The season will begin with three straight games on the road, starting Aug. 28 at Palm Beach Atlantic in West Palm Beach, Florida, at 6 p.m., before facing Barry and Chowan.
The Sand Sharks enter Year 2 of the Gary Boughton era after finishing the 2025 season with an overall record of 9-6-4 and a 3-5-2 conference record, earning a Peach Belt Conference playoff berth.
"Our goal for the season is to take the next step as a program," head coach Gary Boughton said. "I think the first step to represent that is to advance beyond the first round of our conference tournament and ultimately challenge for a PBC Championship."
USCB was picked sixth overall in the Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches poll for the upcoming 2026 season after receiving 39 points.
The Sand Sharks have 21 returning players who appeared in at least one game a year ago. Of that group, two started all 19 games played, while 15 started at least one game.
Sophia Willis returns after finishing second on the team in goals and points in 2025, recording six goals and one assist. Six returning players scored at least one goal last season, including Willis, Kasey Thompson, Kassi Martin, Kensington Daigle, Kaylie Samluk and Anna Wandrie.
Lauren Carmichael led the group of returning players in assists with four, followed by Eva Craney-Barnie, Kate James, Sami Ruby, Willis, Thompson, Zoe Buerger and Alice Webster.
The Sand Shark defense which was in the top five in goals allowed and top five in the conference in goals allowed per game, see a handful of defenders returning including the two leaders in games started for defenders in Kate James who played and started all 19 games including earning All-Tournament Team last season, and Adriane Skelton who had finished the season with 18 games played and 17 starts.
Graysen Asher leads the group of returning goalkeepers after playing in 12 games and starting eight. Asher made 30 saves on the year while recording five wins.
In addition to the returning players, the Sand Sharks are bringing in a freshman class of 14 athletes, along with one transfer, to round out the roster for the upcoming season.
"We're really excited about the additions we've made to the team this season," Boughton said. "I think that these young players will really elevate the group overall, adding to the experienced players we already have. It's been exciting to watch the team grow together throughout the preseason."
Fans can catch the Sand Sharks at home for USCB's home opener on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m. against the University of West Alabama on Finland Field. This marks the first of three straight home games, with Coker and North Georgia following. The North Georgia match on Sept. 12 will serve as the conference opener.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
