SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A new chapter in Mission University athletics is officially underway as the Patriots have begun their inaugural women's soccer season in 2026-27.
Led by head coach Josh Ganson and associate head coach Owen Barker, Mission enters its first season competing as an NAIA program and member of the American Midwest Conference (AMC), while also competing in the NCCAA.
The Patriots opened the season with a pair of games in Springfield, playing their first-ever home contest Saturday at Cooper Sports Complex against IU Kokomo.
Making History
Although the inaugural season has gotten off to a challenging start on the scoreboard, Mission has already accomplished something that can never be repeated: scoring the first goal in program history.
Just 45 seconds into the Patriots' first-ever game against Evangel University on Aug. 21, freshman Khloe Pehl found the back of the net to give Mission its historic first goal. Fellow freshman Myla Skenderovic recorded the assist.
The moment marked the first goal for a program that had only recently been established and represented the beginning of Mission women's soccer history.
Pehl enters the program with an impressive high school résumé, earning High School All-American honors. Skenderovic was an Offensive MVP and earned All-Conference and All-State recognition.
Building the Foundation
Ganson was selected to lead Mission's inaugural women's soccer program after more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience.
His collegiate coaching résumé includes head coaching positions at William Woods University and William Penn University, along with assistant coaching stops at Missouri State University, Nichols College, New England College and Graceland University, his alma mater.
Before coming to Mission, Ganson served as Athletic Director of Operations at Springfield Upstart Athletics, where he worked in youth soccer development, curriculum planning and coach mentorship.
Ganson's inaugural roster features a mix of freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors, giving the Patriots a group of players with different levels of playing experience as they establish the foundation of the new program.
Among the team's newcomers are several players bringing notable accomplishments from their high school and club careers.
Katie Weir, a junior midfielder from Inverness, Scotland, enters the program with experience at the collegiate level. Freshman midfielder Khloe Pehl brings her High School All-American honors, while freshman defender Briahna Pearson comes to Mission from Colorado Springs, Colorado, after earning Academic All-State First Team recognition.
Freshman midfielder Myla Skenderovic enters after earning Offensive MVP, All-Conference and All-State honors.
Freshman midfielder Kadyn Garland, defender Aubree Hugg, midfielder Saniah Boone, midfielder Hailey Bond, defender LaShyla Moore, forward Myla Skenderovic and midfielder Khloe Pehl are among the freshmen helping form the first recruiting class in program history.
First Season, First Schedule
Mission's inaugural schedule features a combination of non-conference competition and AMC play.
Following the opening weekend in Springfield, the Patriots travel to John Brown University on Friday, Aug. 28, before heading to Sterling College on Sept. 1.
Mission will then return to Springfield for another home contest Sept. 7 against the College of Saint Mary at Cooper Sports Complex.
The Patriots' AMC schedule begins Oct. 3 at Stephens College, with conference home games against the University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, Williams Baptist College and Harris-Stowe State University also scheduled at Cooper Sports Complex.
Mission will close the regular season Oct. 31 at Champion Christian College before entering the AMC Tournament, scheduled for Nov. 3-9. The Patriots are also scheduled to compete in NCCAA Regional Week later in November.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 season represents more than just the first schedule for Mission women's soccer. It is the beginning of a program that will establish its identity, traditions and history one match at a time.
With its first goal already in the record books and its first home game already completed, the Patriots now continue building the foundation of Mission women's soccer.
Mission returns to action Friday, Aug. 28, at 5 p.m., traveling to Siloam Springs, Arkansas, to take on John Brown University.
