FOLEY, Ala. – Second-seeded Old Dominion secured its third Sun Belt Conference Women’s Soccer Championship in the last five seasons with a 2-0 victory over fifth-seeded South Alabama on Saturday evening at the Foley Sports Tourism Complex.
The Monarchs (12-6-2) earn the Sun Belt’s automatic bid to the 2026 NCAA Tournament and will learn their first postseason opponent and destination during the NCAA Selection Show which airs on Monday, November 16 at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
Old Dominion fourth year attacking midfielder Riley Mullen was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player after scoring three goals across the Monarchs’ three victories in Foley, including the game-winner in Saturday’s championship match.
Old Dominion took advantage of a costly South Alabama turnover midway through the 16th minute, as Jaguars freshman midfielder Julie Dirom attempted to touch a pass back to the goalkeeper. Mullen intercepted the pass for ODU before it reached the goalkeeper and fired a shot that was saved but collected her own rebound and delivered a second shot attempt that deflected off a defender and into the net to put the Monarchs ahead, 1-0.
Old Dominion continued to pressure the ball and keep South Alabama in defense of its half of the field for a majority of the first half, racking up 14 total shots and nine shots on goal before taking the one-goal lead into the intermission. The Jaguars earned just two shot attempts, placing one on target, in the period.
The Monarchs continued to hold strong defensively despite South Alabama finding ways to break pressure and establish possession through the midpoint of the second half, but Old Dominion added an insurance goal in the 80th minute when a corner kick by second year midfielder Koto Davis was volleyed by second year forward Ashley Economopoulos with her right foot and struck underneath the crossbar before continuing into the back of the net to double the advantage, 2-0.
South Alabama fifth year goalkeeper Mackenzie Smith made 12 saves to lead the Jaguars, despite Old Dominion owning a 22-6 advantage in total shots and an 11-3 margin in corner kick opportunities.
2026 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Elite Award Winner: Dylan McEntarfer, D, Old Dominion
Most Outstanding Performer – Riley Mullen, M, Old Dominion
Koto Davis, M, Old Dominion
Ashley Economopoulos, F, Old Dominion
Ellie Goodrich, GK, Old Dominion
Ashlynn Kulha, D, Old Dominion
Julie Dirom, M, South Alabama
Zamiyah Hill, F, South Alabama
Victoria Rocci, D, South Alabama
Ginny Lackey, F, James Madison
Selma Rajakangas, D, James Madison
Maddie Williams, D, App State
Olivia Simon, M, App State
2026 Sun Belt Women’s Soccer Championship
Quarterfinals – Monday, November 9
Match 1 – (3) App State def. (6) Louisiana, 1-0
Match 2 – (2) Old Dominion def. (7) Marshall, 5-1
Match 3 – (5) South Alabama def. (4) Georgia State, 2-1
Match 4 – (1) James Madison def. (8) Southern Miss, 2-0
Semifinals – Wednesday, November 11
Match 5 – (2) Old Dominion def. (3) App State, 1-0
Match 6 – (5) South Alabama def. (1) James Madison, 2-1 (OT)
Championship – Saturday, November 14
Match 7 – (2) Old Dominion def. (5) South Alabama, 2-0