The Todd Shulenberger era began for Ole Miss Soccer with a 1-0 win over Murray State on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The Lady Rebels were not perfect, but they have the skills to succeed in 2026. Getting to the postseason and reestablishing a winning culture are major goals for Shulenberger during his first season with Ole Miss.
Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Keith Carter named Shulenberger as the new head coach of Ole Miss Soccer on Dec. 1, 2025, replacing former head coach Molly Rouse.
Shulenberger was the winningest coach in program history at Washington State with 113 wins, five NCAA Tournament appearances and a trip to the Women’s College Cup.
On the other hand, the Lady Rebels have not won a conference game since 2023, when they went 3-5-2 against SEC opponents. The program’s last appearance in the NCAA Tournament was in 2021.
In a press conference on Aug. 11, Shulenberger said the prestige of the SEC and the success of Ole Miss sports drew him to Oxford. Now, he and his staff will rebuild a winning culture one game at a time.
“These girls need to know how to compete. We had to switch up our roster a little bit. (Seventeen) new players joined,” Shulenberger said. “(We are focusing on) just learning how to win. Winning is contagious, as losing is.”
Eight players followed Shulenberger to Ole Miss from Washington State: Audrey Shackelford, Keira Mitchell, Alena Watts, Maizy Kluksdal, Ava Ghoreishi, Becca Skinner, Isabelle Wright and Jenna Studer. Additionally, the Lady Rebels returned four goals scorers from 2025.
The Lady Rebels have not been to the SEC Tournament since 2022. Shulenberger hopes to get back there in 2026, but nonconference play is the priority right now.
“Getting to that SEC Tournament is (the) number one (goal),” Shulenberger said. “If you get into that position, you see where it goes from there, but we have to worry about nonconference (competition) first.”
Star returnee Katie Ramsden, who led the team in goals, points, shots and shots on goals last season, scored the first goal of the year on Wednesday night, giving the Lady Rebels their first win of the season.
Though this was Ole Miss’ only goal of the time, the Lady Rebels still generated 22 shots, four shots on goal and 10 corner kicks. They maintained a good tempo all night and played an entertaining style of soccer.
“We’re going to be high energy. We’re going to be a team that’s not going to sit back,” Shulenberger said. “We’re going to hopefully break lines with a purpose (and) put ourselves in a position on that half of the field to be dangerous in front of the goal and create opportunities both to run and play and set pieces.”
Of course, the Lady Rebels still have plenty of work to do. Against Murray State, they fumbled numerous golden opportunities to score. The Lady Rebels were able to set up through-balls, but could not execute. Lady Rebel corner kicks found heads, but none were on goal. They could not cash in on touches in the 6-yard box.
“(It) wasn’t the prettiest at times. We had tons of opportunities. Tons of corners,” Shulenberger said in a postgame interview with The Daily Mississippian. “(Murray State) fought hard. We got the result. That’s what matters right now.”
The back line impressed all night. The Racers had four shots in the entire match, only one of which was on goal. Studer, Allison Kolski, Paxton Bock and Watts were excellent on defense.
Watts, one of eight players who followed Shulenberger from Washington State, had a particularly excellent game. She was able to pick pockets, prevent passes in the final third and get the ball down the field.
“She’s great. She came with me from Washington State, and I’ve been around her as a senior,” Shulenberger said. “She’s been in big moments before. (I’m) so proud of her. (I’m) proud of the whole back line.”
Shackelford, Ghoreishi, Isabella Pontieri and Skinner showcased great talent. This year’s roster is deep. Ramsden, who scored the game-winning goal in the season opener, did not even start the game; she only played 16 minutes.
While the abundance of talent was evident on Wednesday night, Shulenberger and his staff must find the most efficient starting 11.
What’s next?
The Lady Rebels will travel to Lafayette, La., to take on Louisiana on Aug. 16. Nonconference play will wrap up on Sept. 6 before SEC play begins against Mississippi State at home on Sept. 11.
