Soccer Preview | Bulldogs Open SoCon Play Against VMI
9/16/2026 2:25:00 PM | Soccer
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By: The Citadel Athletics
CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Citadel opens Southern Conference play Thursday, Sept. 17, welcoming rival VMI to Washington Light Infantry Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
The Bulldogs enter league action with a 5-1-2 record and an unbeaten streak of six consecutive matches following Saturday's 7-0 Senior Day victory over Bob Jones. The Citadel has won back-to-back matches and is 4-1 at Washington Light Infantry Field this season.
Head coach Ciaran Traquair also enters Thursday on the verge of a career milestone. Traquair began the 2026 season with 94 career victories and, following The Citadel's five wins this season, sits one win shy of career win No. 100.
The Citadel has outscored opponents 23-5 through eight matches while holding a 140-82 advantage in shots and a 78-41 edge in shots on goal. The Bulldogs are averaging 2.88 goals per match while allowing just 0.63 and have recorded four clean sheets.
The Bulldogs have been especially effective after halftime, outscoring opponents 17-0 in the second half this season. Further, The Citadel has yet to surrender a second-half goal through eight matches.
Samantha Grantham leads The Citadel with seven goals and is tied with Jasiah Pack and Mercer's Olivia Bori for the Southern Conference lead with 17 points. Grantham and Pack are also tied for 12th nationally in total points. Grantham has added three assists and three game-winning goals while placing 20 of her 32 shots on frame.
Pack has registered six goals and a team-high five assists this season. She recorded a brace in Saturday's victory over Bob Jones and has placed 18 of her 24 attempts on goal.
In goal, Zoe Santos has appeared in all eight matches and owns a 0.70 goals-against average, ranking second amongst qualified Southern Conference goalkeepers. She has also recorded 31 saves with an .861 save percentage. Freshman Aliana Banner has yet to allow a goal in 75:23 of action as the Bulldogs have combined for four clean sheets.
VMI enters Thursday's conference opener with an 0-8-1 record following a 5-1 road loss at UNC Asheville on Sunday. The Keydets' lone result came in a 1-1 draw against Gardner-Webb on Aug. 30.
The Keydets have scored three goals through nine matches while allowing 27. VMI has recorded 60 shots, including 16 on goal, while opponents have totaled 200 attempts and 101 shots on target.
VMI struck just 33 seconds into its most recent match as Nixon Carpenter scored her first goal of the season off an assist from Ella Peterson against UNC Asheville. The Bulldogs responded less than four minutes later before pulling away for the 5-1 victory.
Carpenter, Jordan Davis and Jaleesa Eichel have accounted for VMI's three goals this season. Peterson and Mackenzie Hobik have each registered an assist.
Goalkeeper Maren Ryberg has seen the majority of the action in net, logging 738:55 with 63 saves, a .750 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average.
Series History
Thursday will mark the 21st all-time meeting between The Citadel and VMI, with the Bulldogs holding an 11-9 advantage in the series. The Citadel owns a 6-4 record against the Keydets in Charleston and has won eight of the last 10 meetings.
The Bulldogs earned a 2-0 victory at VMI last season behind a second-half brace from Alice Williamson. Reagan Wise assisted on the opening goal, while Cameron Martin provided the helper on Williamson's second. Santos made four saves to secure the clean sheet as The Citadel held a 16-7 advantage in shots and an 8-4 edge in shots on goal.
How to Follow
Thursday's match will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available HERE. Thursday's match ball is sponsored by Cecilia Grantham, mother of senior Samantha Grantham. For the latest information on The Citadel soccer team, visit CitadelSports.com and follow @CitadelWSoccer on Facebook, X and Instagram.
