The 2025-2026 NSU soccer season reinforced the team’s identity and improved the varying levels of understanding of the demands of college athletics.
For Kendall Hemperley, a freshman nursing major, the shift to Division I play was an immediate adjustment. She said this came in the form of the training schedule, which she described as a substantial change from what she was used to in high school. “Practicing, what, three times a day? In high school, it was only one practice a day and not nearly as intense,” Hemperley said.
The physical demands and academic responsibilities of a nursing major required Hemperley to adapt to a new schedule quickly. She also found support within the team early on, sharing that of a teammate who helped her navigate life as a student-athlete. “Riley [Stern] has helped me the most since I joined the team; she makes me feel like I belong here,” Hemperley said.
Hemperley’s first defining moment came during one of the team’s most competitive matchups against the University of Texas at Austin. Thinking back on the experience, she realized she was truly competing at a higher level, and the moment stood out as a personal introduction to the college level she was now expected to play at.
Riley Stern, a junior health and exercise science major, reflected on how her approach has changed since her freshman year. “I think I just matured in terms of how I move, and my communication has gotten a lot better. I think I’m also calmer than when I was a freshman,” Stern said.
Stern acknowledged that younger players naturally look to upperclassmen for guidance. She added that this comes with both expectations and pressure. “You’re being looked up to, and that can be a lot of pressure, but you’re also teaching them how everything works, which brings a sense of pride to me,” Stern said.
When it came to maintaining focus during difficult moments in the season, she credited the team’s overall drive and motivation. “Everyone’s pretty intrinsically motivated … just reminding them of our goals and core motives,” Stern said, agreeing that a standout moment for the team was beating UT Austin.
Ian Brophy, head soccer coach, emphasized how the team’s setting daily expectations laid the foundation for a successful and competitive season. He made a clear distinction between general effort and intentional competition. “We talk about it a lot, about competing every day. It’s one thing to work hard, but it’s another to commit to winning,” Brophy said.
Brophy reflected on the challenges the team faced throughout the season, particularly in maintaining the values of the team that define the soccer program. He takes pride in how the players built strong connections with one another and how those relationships carried over onto the field. “They were very connected and close as a team, and I’m very proud of that,” Brophy said.
He noted their ability to adapt quickly to strategic expectations, describing them as a hardworking group that embraced the program’s philosophy. “They caught on quickly to our specific way of playing soccer. And them winning a championship is proof of that,” Brophy said.
The season became a reflection of steady progress, daily competitiveness and the individual contributions that collectively shape the team’s identity. The program continues to evolve through connection and an ongoing commitment to competing at a higher level.
