The AUM Soccer Field on quiet a day before the seasons starts. (photo courtesy of Patrick Eiland)
The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks fall sports starts this weekend with both the men and women soccer seasons kicking off. Here’s what to look forward to this season from them and all of the other fall sports.
Men’s Soccer
After going 10-5-3 last season and coming up short in the Gulf South Conference tournament to West Florida the Warhawks expectations are as high as ever going into the 2026 season.
They open as the favorites to win the GCS this year with Mississippi Christian and Christian Brothers picked to finish 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Five Warhawks were also awarded preseason honors with both senior defender Alan De Paula and junior forward Benjamin Hoffmann being named to the GSC Preseason Team. Junior forward Luke Butcher, junior left-wing Nathan Le Roux, and freshman Malik Mawd were all named to the GSC Newcomers watchlist.
“We’re excited to get the season underway,” said head soccer coach Matthew Thorne. “We wanted to challenge ourselves by scheduling some of the best teams in the region. That not only helps our strength of schedule for postseason consideration, but it also prepares us for the gauntlet of the GSC.”
The men’s soccer season opened Thursday at home with a 1-0 win against Saint Leo leading into a full weekend of matches Saturday and Sunday.
Women’s Soccer
Looking to turn the page after a rough 1-13-2 season in 2025, the women’s soccer team has three freshmen added to the GSC watchlist. Forwards Rachel Wain and Eva Hendriks, and defender Lily Hillegas. They opened the season at home Thursday with a 1-1 tie against Emory.
Men’s Cross Country
AUM’s season starts Sep.18 in Huntsville while being picked 4th in the GSC. The team is looking to pick up after a strong 2025 season where they finished 4th in the GSC Championships and finishing in 8th place in the NCAA Division II South Regional Championship, tying a program best.
Junior Mikey Banks, and sophomores JT Mathison and Caleb Yoder were all selected to the GSC Runners to Watch list.
Women’s Cross Country
After finishing at a program record 10th place in the NCAA Division II South Regional Championship, the women’s cross-country team is picked to finish 6th in the conference while also having two members named to the GSC Runners to Watch list. Juniors Chloe Helms and Emma McGee. They begin their season in Charlotte, N.C. on Sep. 11.
Volleyball
After a rough 3-25 season last year, the Warhawks volleyball team looks to turn the page. Although they are picked to finish last in the GSC, three women where selected to the GSC rookie list: junior outside hitter/opposite Chelsea Daffin, freshman middle blocker Autumn Harper, and freshman outside hitter Gabriella Wokatsch.
Their season begins in Jackson, TN for the Union Volleyball Classic on Aug. 28 and 29.
Men’s Basketball
It’s a new era for the Warhawks men’s basketball team as they introduced Anthony Komara as the 4th head coach in team history on April 2. Komara takes over from interim coach Joe Brooks who led the team last season after an abrupt exit from former head coach Michael Cheaney. He looks to help turn around a team that finished 5-23 last year.
“AUM is a special place with outstanding leadership and I can’t wait to get to campus and get to work.” said Komara “Building a program and culture centered on discipline, toughness, and togetherness that represents the university the right way will be our number one priority from day one. We will work relentlessly to put a team on the court that the AUM community can be truly proud of.”
The schedule has yet to be released but keep eyes on the AUM Athletics website. The season is expected to start in mid. November.
Women’s Basketball
Hoping to improve off of a 3-25 season in 2025, the women Warhawks are bringing in Markus Black as their new assistant head coach. Black spent last season as the assistant coach at California State University, San Bernardino and has spent time on coaching staffs around the country, including the University of Arkansas.
