The Brock women’s soccer team is off to a much different start this season compared to last year.
After finishing the 2025 season with a 3-6-3 record, the Badgers entered this season looking to get back into the playoff picture. Through their first eight games, Brock sits 5-1-2. The strong start has put Brock in a much better position early in the season, but the team still has plenty of work ahead if they want to turn their early success into a deep playoff run.
Brock opened the season with a 2-0 win over Waterloo on Aug. 30, with veteran forward Jenna Parris assisting Kate Halley’s goal. Goalkeeper Maddy Heeley also made seven saves to earn the clean sheet.
The Badgers continued their strong start with wins over Western, McMaster and Waterloo and tied against Windsor and Laurier, only giving up one goal in the seven-game stretch.
The Badgers added another win to their record on Sept. 25, defeating Algoma 3-0 at Alumni Field. Parris recorded a hat-trick while Avery Cafaro and Julia Martins each picked up an assist. The game also marked milestones for a pair of young players. Second-year Mia Vidakovic made her first OUA start and first-year Rylee Black made her OUA debut.
Brock’s unbeaten start came to an end against Gulph on Sept. 26, losing 3-1. Second-year Lexie Foster scored Brock’s lone goal, with Parris picking up the assist. Despite the loss, Brock remains in a strong position after opening the season with five wins and two draws.
With only four games remaining, Brock will now look to maintain the momentum it has built during the first part of the season.
The difference from last year has already been noticeable. Brock finished 2025 with only three wins and missed the playoffs. The Badgers have already matched that win total this season and remain unbeaten through seven games.
The team’s defence has been an important part of that success. Brock has kept opponents off the scoresheet in six of their eight games so far. The Badgers have put together four straight clean sheets heading into their Oct. 2 matchup with the Western Mustangs.
At the other end of the field, players such as Parris and Halley have provided an attacking presence. Parris, a fifth year forward, was named OUA Second Team All-Star in 2025, and has six goals and three assists, while Halley has already contributed two goals and one assist early in the 2026 season.
The Badgers will have another opportunity to show how far they have come on Oct. 2 when Western visits Alumni Field for Kick for the Cure, an event supporting Canadian Cancer Society.
The matchup will also give Brock another chance against a Western team it has already defeated this season. The Badgers’ 3-1 victory in London showed they can compete with the Mustangs, but the rematch will provide another test as Brock continues its push toward the playoffs.
For a team that finished 3-6-3 last season, the start to the 2026 season has given Brock plenty of reasons to feel encouraged.
The Badgers have already put themselves in a strong position, but staying there will be the next challenge. With more games still to play, Brock will need to continue to get results if it wants to turn its unbeaten start into a return to the playoffs.
After missing out on the playoffs since 2023, the Badgers have an opportunity to change that this year.
For future updates and more information on the team, checkout the team’s Instagram @brockwsoccer and Brock University Athletics website.