MIDDLETOWN, Pa. – Fresh off a run to the NCAA Tournament Round of 16, Penn State Harrisburg's women's soccer program has officially announced its schedule for the 2026 campaign.


The Lions are coming off a memorable 2025 season that saw them win a program-record 16 games, capture their fourth United East Championship, make their third NCAA Tournament appearance and become the first program in school history to advance to the NCAA Round of 16. The squad is set for 17 contests this fall, including 10 home games, eight conference matchups and a number of highly-anticipated non-conference showdowns against some of the best teams in the nation. Penn State Harrisburg will face four programs that competed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, with all of them earning either national or regional rankings a year ago.


"This will be the toughest schedule our program has played to date," said head coach Brandon West. "We can't wait for the challenge and love playing the top teams in the country. Playing the best is how we grow as a program."


Following a pair of August scrimmages against two NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago in Montclair State and Swarthmore, the slate kicks off at home against perennial power Messiah under the lights on Tuesday night, Sept. 1 and continues four days later with another home contest against annual contender TCNJ. Next up is a gauntlet of a four-game road trip beginning at Susquehanna on Sept. 9 followed by three straight contests against NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago in SUNY Cortland, Johns Hopkins and Stevens. Then it's a five-game homestand for the Lions starting with Eastern on Sept. 23 before opening conference play against Notre Dame (Md.) three days later. Penn State Harrisburg closes out September against St. Mary's (Md.) in a much-anticipated rematch of the past two United East Championship Games. 


October begins with a home conference game against Cairn on Oct. 3 and continues with another home matchup against non-conference foe Stevenson on Oct. 7. After a trip to Penn State Brandywine, the Lions are back home to host a talented Franklin & Marshall squad on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 11. It's back to conference play against Valley Forge on Oct. 13 before hitting the road again for contests at Lancaster Bible and Cedar Crest. Penn State Harrisburg will wrap up the regular season by hosting conference foe Penn College on Saturday afternoon, Oct. 24. 


The two-time reigning United East Champions will look to defend their crown when United East postseason action begins during the final week of October. The United East Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7 with NCAA Tournament play set to begin the following week. 


"Our group will have the utmost respect playing these programs but will have zero fear," continued West. "Our group is excited to build on last year's run to the NCAA Round of 16 and we believe our non-conference schedule will prepare us for that."


Fans can keep up with Penn State Harrisburg Athletics all season long on Instagram, Facebook, X and Youtube using the handle @pshbgathletics.