WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons will enter the 2026 season appearing as capable as ever in continuing the sustained level of success that head coach Brent Hobson has built throughout his 13-year tenure at the helm.
Last season, the Falcons finished as the KCAC runner-up for the fourth time in the last 11 years to clinch the program's fifth NAIA National Tournament berth in the past seven seasons. Winning 14 games for the second straight year, the Falcons fell in PK's in the KCAC postseason tournament championship game to the top-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles just a year after claiming their first-ever conference tournament crown of the modern era. Over that same 11-year span, the Falcons have finished outside the KCAC's top four only twice.
"Reaching the National Tournament is always an accomplishment but we're hungry to achieve success in the conference," said Hobson. "Last year losing a championship in PKs was tough so I know we are motivated to start the season."
Leading the charge for the Falcons' returning all-conference selections is a pair of first-team honorees in Kieley Aranda and Paige Putter. Aranda was the Falcons' offensive catalyst, scoring a team-leading 12 goals while Putter was second with seven scores along with stellar play on the defensive side and midfield.
Second-team performers Anahi Ibarra-Arevalo and Samantha Jones return to provide balance on both ends. Ibarra-Arevalo scored six goals and dished out a team-high nine assists last season. Meanwhile, Jones, the 2025 KCAC Newcomer of the Year, served as a defensive anchor for a unit that recorded 13 shutouts in 2025.
Elisa Murrietta, an honorable-mention choice last year, is also back following a three goal, five assist output during the 2025 season.
Additional returners that received significant starting experience last season include Trinity Granger, Olivia Minjares, Payton Kauffman and Alayna Runck.
"All three captains will be impact players for us (Kieley, Paige and Elisa)," said Hobson. "Anahi is also someone that will be a leader for us in scoring and creating chances."
Goalkeeper will be a point of interest in 2026, as All-KCAC second-team pick Morgan Wilkinson departs after recording a 0.80 GAA and making 66 saves last season. Magnolia Tavizon and Camila Apple return after receiving limited experience in the net in 2025 and appear ready to vie for minutes at the position this upcoming season.
"Right now we have two returning GKs, Magnolia and Camila," Hobson noted. "Then we've signed a local player, Kaitlyn Martinez from Wichita North. All of them will get an opportunity in preseason. It's a very talented group that we are looking forward to seeing compete."
The Falcons are well-stocked with impact veterans, but Hobson has his eye on a pair of newcomers that appear ready to make an immediate impact on the pitch in 2026.
"Musa Mnisi will be an incoming freshman from South Africa," said Hobson. "She has a lot of skill, can score goals but also has vision to create goals. She'll be fun to watch. Amaya Perez is also an incoming freshman from Texas. She's a soccer savvy player that knows the game well. I think she'll be very technical for a freshman and I can see her making an impact early on in her career."
The Falcons kick off the new season with a tantalizing matchup on Aug. 23 vs. NCAA D-I Oral Roberts University. Friends also has two more home non-conference outings, including a NAIA Opening Round rematch vs. Hastings College on Sept. 5 before the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) visits Wichita on Sept. 8. With a non-conference road date at Mid-America Christian University on Aug. 27, the Falcons will face three teams that were ranked or receiving votes in the final NAIA Top 25 poll last year (No. 17 USAO, RV Hastings, RV MACU.)
The KCAC season begins with three road outings before the Falcons welcome the University of Saint Mary Spires to Adair-Austin Stadium on Sept. 30.
"It's a very tough schedule," said Hobson. "Another unique opportunity playing ORU here at home. They are so athletic and play a tough physical game. Then the rest of the non-conference is stacked with high quality NAIA teams. We will get challenged but we wanted to focus on strength of schedule and play good competition for non-conference."
