EUGENE, Ore.  – A coaching change will not slow the momentum for the Bushnell women's soccer program as the Beacons enter the 2026 season looking to build on the most successful campaign in school history.
 
Bushnell welcomes Toni Malone as the eighth head coach in program history following the departure of Halle Meadows, who accepted an NCAA Division II position after leading the Beacons to two Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament appearances in three seasons.
 
Malone inherits a team on the rise. Bushnell posted a program-best 7-6-4 record in 2025, secured its highest-ever CCC finish in fifth place, and established itself as a legitimate conference contender.
 
The transition has been seamless so far. "Things have started out really well," Malone said. "The energy is high, the girls are locked in on the field and in film sessions, and they're grasping the new concepts we're trying to instill."
 
While Malone takes over a team that graduated several key contributors, she believes the program has the pieces in place to continue moving forward. The Beacons return 13 players from last year's squad while welcoming 11 newcomers, creating a blend of experience and fresh talent that Malone believes can continue the program's upward trajectory. "They graduated a good group of seniors last year, but the people we have brought in are going to fill those gaps. There will certainly be a learning curve, but the team is adapting quickly."
 
GOALKEEPERS
 
Replacing All-CCC goalkeeper Ana Augusto will be one of Bushnell's biggest challenges in 2026. Augusto earned Second-Team All-CCC honors last season while helping the Beacons allow just 1.2 goals per game and record six shutouts.
 
The responsibility now shifts to redshirt freshman Gabriella Montes, who gained valuable experience in four appearances last year, including two starts.
 
"It has been really cool to watch Gabriella step up," Malone said. "You can't tell she didn't see the field much behind Ana last season. She made some outstanding saves against Oregon State and has really taken ownership of the position."
 
Senior Sophie Cadaret, a former midfielder with goalkeeping experience, provides depth and versatility behind Montes.
 
DEFENSE
 
While the Beacons will feature several new faces along the back line, Malone believes the group has quickly begun developing chemistry. "The backline is young and they are new working together," she said, "but they are already stepping up and I'm encouraged by what I have seen."
 
Redshirt junior Laney Sullivan is set to make her first appearance for Bushnell, and transitions from forward to defense. Coach Malone said, "We moved Laney to center back because of the qualities that she possesses. Her speed allows her to match up with quality attackers, and she returned this season determined to prove she can make a big impact."
 
Sullivan is expected to partner with freshman Elsie Anderson (Sheldon HS), who Malone praises for her work ethic on the field. She said, "I knew immediately when I saw her play that we needed to get Elsie on the field. She is so composed on the ball, makes great decisions, and complements Lanie very well."
 
A pair of newcomers are looking to make significant impact in the outside back positions with Jordyn Pai (Honolulu, Hawaii) and Deanna Sandoval (Colton, Calif.) coming to town. Pai (Honolulu, Hawaii) comes to the Beacons after one season across town at Lane Community College where she was a starter. "I knew that Jordyn would make an immediate impact on the team," said Coach Malone. "She is a strong attacker out of the back. Deanna is small, but makes up for it with her pace and her soccer IQ."
 
The defense will have plenty of depth this season. Returners like Adrie Lader and Brooke Richardson will continue to have an impact along with three other newcomers in freshmen Malia Banry (North Eugene HS), Mikayla Chacon (Sacramento, Calif.), and Anahi Canales (Hillsboro, Ore.)
 
Banry was a third-team All-State selection for the Highlanders last season and helped lead North Eugene HS to a pair of state championship tournament appearances in four years. Malone said, "It is great to see Malia start the adjustment to the college level, which always takes time. She has a lot of promise and we have our eye on her for time this season."
 
Chacon, from Rio American High School, and Canales from Century High School, are both likely candidates to compete for time both on defense and in the midfield. Coach Malone said, "Mikayla isn't afraid to use her head to win balls in the air and is a good rotating player. Anahi can play center-mid or outside back and has a lot of speed."
 
MIDFIELD
 
In the midfield and on the wings, Bushnell will have a strong mix of youth and experience. "We have a really strong midfield group," said Malone, bringing a lot of consistency and a physical presence. They have quality touches on the ball but also able to win balls out of the air which is something we are working to get better at."
 
Returners to the midfield include senior Mia Morales, along with sophomores Charlotte Vandercar and Ohu Miles, a trio that combined to score seven goals in 2025 including a pair of game-winners from Vandercar.
 
Joining the fray is a trio of freshman looking to have a similar impact on the scoreboard in 2026.
 
Ryah Larsen prepped at Sheldon High School in Eugene and was a second-team All-League player as a junior before injury cost her senior season. Coach Malone said, "Ryah has shown a lot of progress already in a short amount of time. She is a physical presence, relentless at going after every ball."
 
Kayden Rivas (Bakersfield, Calif.) comes from the Bushnell recruiting hotbed of Bakersfield, California, where she was a former teammate of Indiana Chambers at Garces Memorial High School. She is also coming off an injury and is also making steady improvement throughout fall camp. "Kayden saw her first minutes against Oregon State," said Malone, "and it was really encouraging to see her make an impact at that level. Good things are going to come from her."
 
Freshman winger Brielle Engle (Cottage Grove, Ore.) is one of Bushnell's most decorated recruits, having earned Second-Team All-State honors at Cottage Grove High. Coach Malone said, "Brielle brings a lot of pace and a ton of resilience, which is something we are always looking to build more of for this program. She is constantly fighting and has speed to get in behind the defense, making herself a persistent scoring threat."
 
FORWARDS
 
The front line for the Beacons may have the most depth, and the most versatility with no less than seven players in the mix, giving Bushnell plenty of ability to mix-and-match. "We have a great group of forwards," said Malone. "They all bring a little something different to the table, and they give us the ability to put together a relentless attack for 90 minutes."
 
The undeniable leader is sophomore Elidia Cervantes Carlos, who started all 17 games for the Beacons as a freshman. She scored seven goals, the third-most in a season in school history, and earned Second-Team All-CCC honors for her efforts. Malone said, "We are wanting to get Elidia even more opportunities this season and she is someone who you can hold to a high standard on the field and she is going to hold up to it. We are going to push our tempo and will have other players helping relieve some of the pressure, which should open her up for even more goals this year."
 
New to the top of the rotation are a pair of transfers in Anela Leslie (Waianae, Hawaii) and junior Brooklyn Wade (Yuma, Arizona). Leslie brings NAIA experience to the team, having spent her freshman season at Park-Gilbert in Arizona. "Anela was one of our final additions this season," said Malone. "She has an aggressive mentality and a lot of creativity on the ball which makes her a great pairing with Elidia."
 
For Wade, two seasons at College of the Siskiyous resulted in 38 goals scored including a record-setting 32 as a freshman. She was the Golden Valley Conference Attacker of the Year and a first-team All-GVC selection. "It has been really fun to see Brooklyn's progression," said Malone. "Every day in camp we see something new from her and she is someone who has played her way into the top of the rotation."
 
Expected to see plenty of time up top in her third year with the Beacons is junior Indiana Chambers. Coach Malone said, "Indy may not be as flashy as some of our other forwards, but she is a dark horse to be a top scorer. She has really good hold-up play, is excellent at connecting passes, and she works well with our other forwards."
 
Adding to the depth up front will be seniors, Leslie Monjaras, Ellie Winkelman, and Anetta Avila.
 
SEASON OUTLOOK
 
The Beacons will officially get underway on Thursday, playing host to NAIA foe Simpson University in their season opener. A four-game run of non-conference games will also include home games against Linfield University on September 1 and Pacific Union on September 6, all in preparation for the Cascade Collegiate Conference opener against the University of Providence, also at Civic Park on September 19.
 
With a blend of proven returners, impact transfers, and promising freshmen, the Beacons appear positioned to challenge for another berth in the CCC tournament in November. Whether that results in a higher conference finish or a deeper playoff run remains to be seen, but the focus inside the program remains unchanged.
 
"Our goal is to keep getting better every season and not be content with where we are," Malone said. "If we focus on the daily details, the results will take care of themselves."