River Forest, Ill. – After a 2025 campaign that saw the program reach heights not seen in nearly a decade, the Concordia University Chicago (CUC) softball team returns to the diamond with momentum, experience, and a hunger for more.
Head Coach Sarah O'Malley-Fisher enters her 14th season leading the Cougars, backed by a group that was named the 2025 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC) Coaching Staff of the Year. Following a 23-win season, the program's first since 2019, and a return to the NACC Tournament as the number four seed, CUC is looking to capitalize as a conference contender for the second year in a row.
Building on a Historic Foundation
The roadmap for the 2026 season was drawn during a transformative 2025 campaign that saw the Cougars re-establish themselves as a conference powerhouse. The journey began in Florida at the Cocoa Beach Spring Training Tournament, where the team showed early resilience by battling to a 4-4 record. Despite opening-day jitters against Rose-Hulman, the squad quickly found their footing, highlighted by Ashley Shroll's (Tampa, Fla.) no-hitter against Concordia College and commanding wins over Mount Mary and Houghton. Upon returning to Illinois, the Cougars continued to battle through a grueling non-conference slate, sweeping Wheaton College in tight contests and pulling off a dramatic comeback victory against North Park University, proving early on that this team possessed the grit necessary for a long season.
As the calendar turned to NACC play, the Cougars truly found their stride, turning flashes of potential into sustained dominance. After hard-fought splits with St. Norbert and Aurora to open the conference schedule, CUC ignited a historic nine-game winning streak, the program's longest since 2016. During this time, the offense exploded, including a 23-run outburst against Alverno, while the team secured critical sweeps over Edgewood, Marian, and Rockford. Even when the streak ended, the team remained resilient, trading blows in splits with MSOE and Lakeland and battling Lake Forest to a tie before too dark of a playing field ended the game, ensuring they remained in the hunt for a top postseason seed.
The peak of the regular season provided the most defining moments of the year. The Cougars clinched their return to the postseason and secured their first 20-win season since 2018 with a clutch sweep of Wisconsin Lutheran. They followed that milestone with an emotional doubleheader sweep of rival Dominican University, a feat the program hadn't achieved since 2015. That series featured two walk-off hits by Alyssa Campos (Eastvale, Calif.) and a thrilling 13-12 extra-inning victory. Although the season concluded with a tough series against Concordia Wisconsin and a narrow loss to MSOE in the NACC Tournament opener, the Cougars finished 23-17-1 overall with a 16-8 conference record. This performance earned them the number four seed and secured NACC Coaching Staff of the Year honors for Coach O'Malley-Fisher and her assistants, solidifying the culture of excellence that the 2026 squad is eager to uphold.
Post-Season Honors
The 2025 season was highlighted by four All-NACC selections, led by First Team outfielder McKyler Morris (Belvidere, Ill.), who paced the team with a .411 batting average and 33 RBIs. Senior catcher Jessica Geng (Phoenix, Ariz.) and utility player Emily Garcia (Eastvale, Calif.) both earned Second Team honors for their offensive consistency and defensive reliability, while Campos received an Honorable Mention nod following a versatile freshman campaign where she contributed both at the plate and in the circle.
The Returning Core
While the team graduated three impactful seniors, including All-NACC catcher Geng, the Cougars return a veteran core, headlined by three NACC All-Conference honorees.
Offensive Leaders
The offense will be anchored by Morris, coming off a sensational sophomore season where she earned All-NACC First Team honors. Morris finished last season with a .411 batting average, on 51 hits, 33 RBIs, and four home runs. She is joined by Garcia, an All-NACC Second Team selection who proved to be a dual threat on the bases and at the plate, and Campos, who had a show out freshman season, highlighting two walk-off hits against Dominican last year. Arissa Santos (Moreno Valley, Calif.) also returns to the infield. A consistent presence, she tied for the team lead in home runs (4) and led the defense with 105 assists last season.
Infield & Depth
The infield defense remains solid with Katelyn Smith (Chatsworth, Ga.) and Mayah Larenas (Chino, Calif.), who recorded 277 putouts at first base last year. Linley Southern (Decatur, Ill.) looks to expand her role after a strong debut season, providing power and versatility. With the departure of catcher Geng, Emily Lucero (Chino, Calif.) is expected to step up and command the defense from behind the plate.
The Pitching Circle
With the graduation of Shroll, the Cougars will look to their deep rotation of pitchers to aid in another successful season. Eden Pufahl (Laguna Hills, Calif.) returns after posting the team-low ERA of 3.73 in 2025, holding opponents to a .310 average. Joining Pufahl is Alyssa Lopez (Corona, Calif.), Megan Bouska (Plainfield, Ill.), Morgan Houfek (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), and Campos, an All-NACC Honorable Mention who struck out 14 batters in 39 innings last season while playing excellent defense.
Fresh Faces
The Cougars welcome a versatile group of six newcomers who look to make an immediate impact on the roster. This year's class features a heavy national presence, drawing talent from across the country to River Forest. Five freshmen, Alaina Pilas (Chicago, Ill.), Eliza Auger (Littleton, Colo.), Allison McCleary (Clermont, Fla.), Jasmine Gonzales (Riverside, Calif.), and Katie Davis (Colorado Springs, Colo.), bring a fresh energy and depth to the lineup. Joining them is junior transfer Charlize Gonzalez (Dallas, Texas), whose collegiate experience will be vital in filling the leadership void left by the departing senior class.
Coaching & Culture
Coach O'Malley-Fisher described the previous season as "one of the most fun years I have had coaching," citing the team's ability to evolve from individuals into a cohesive unit.
Returning to the dugout is the award-winning staff including Dave Golitko (10th season) and a strong support system of alumni coaches. The Cougars also added Beth Wallace to the coaching staff. Wallace previously coached at Loyola and brings a great amount of experience in coaching to the team. Their focus for 2026 remains clear: uphold the new standards and compete for a NACC title.
A Look Ahead
This upcoming season, the Cougars will be tested with a challenging non-conference slate and a trip to the Sunshine State before diving into the heart of NACC play. The Cougars will compete in an eight-game slate to open the season at the Space Coast Complex in Viera Beach, Florida. The action kicks off on Monday, March 2, with a morning showdown against Baruch College, followed by a mid-afternoon matchup against Concordia College, the same opponent the team had a historic no-hitter to take the win. The momentum continues into Tuesday, March 3, as the Cougars take on New England College and Anna Maria College in back-to-back action. After a day of rest to recharge, the team returns to the dirt on Thursday, March 5, for a crucial pairing against the University of Dubuque and a familiar rival in Rose-Hulman. The Florida festivities conclude on Friday, March 6, with a late-day double feature against John Carroll University and a finale against Houghton University.
Following their spring break tour, the Cougars will return to home but head on the road on Wednesday, March 18, to travel to Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a non-conference doubleheader against Carthage College.
The most anticipated date on the early calendar is Saturday, March 21, when the Cougars return to River Forest for their Home Opener at the CUC Softball Field. This doubleheader against Lakeland University not only brings the Cougar faithful back to the stands but also signals the start of NACC play. Coming off a strong performance last year, CUC has been voted #6 in the NACC preseason poll, with coaches and SIDs predicting another postseason run for this tournament-ready squad. The intensity of the conference slate ramps up immediately following the home opener. On Sunday, March 22, the Cougars head to Lisle for a NACC doubleheader against Benedictine University. After dropping two narrow contests to the Eagles last season, CUC will be looking for redemption early in the conference schedule.
The Cougars take a short trip to the city and a break from conference play on Thursday, March 26, as the team visits North Park University. This provides a final tune-up before a long stretch of the season.
On Saturday, March 28, the Cougars travel to Mequon, Wisconsin, to face Concordia University Wisconsin in a critical battle for "Concordia" bragging rights. The team must then pivot quickly for a quick turnaround, returning home on Sunday, March 29, to host Dominican University. This Division Street rivalry at the CUC Softball Field is expected to be one of the most electric dates on the calendar; the Cougars will look to replicate the magic of 2025, where they secured a historic sweep over the Stars featuring back-to-back walk-off hits.
As the calendar turns to April, the Cougars enter the heart of the NACC schedule with a heavy focus on protecting home turf and securing critical road points. The stretch begins on April 4 with a trip to De Pere, Wisconsin, for a doubleheader against St. Norbert College. CUC then returns to River Forest for a pivotal three-series homestand, starting with a Monday afternoon clash against Rockford University on April 6. The Cougars briefly step out of conference play on April 8 to host North Central College for a non-conference twin bill before jumping back into the NACC fray on April 11 against Marian University. The month continues with a mix of home and on the road games as the team hosts Lake Forest College on Tuesday, April 14, then travels to Verona, Wisconsin, on April 18 to battle Edgewood University.
The final push for the NACC tournament starts with a quick trip to Milwaukee on Sunday, April 19, for a doubleheader against Alverno College. The Cougars then return home to the friendly confines of the CUC Softball Field for a critical weekend series against Wisconsin Lutheran College on Saturday, April 25, a team they swept last spring to clinch their postseason berth. CUC hits the road one last time the following day, Sunday, April 26, to face MSOE in a high-stakes rematch of last year's tournament opener. The regular season concludes in a Senior Day celebration on Saturday, May 2, against Aurora University. This final series will be the ultimate test before the Cougars head into the 2026 postseason, set to begin May 7.
Statistical Leaders
Batting
Batting Average - McKyler Morris, .411
Slugging Percentage - McKyler Morris, .613
Runs Scored - Emily Garcia, 33
Hits - McKyler Morris, 51
Home Runs - McKyler Morris and Arissa Santos, 4
Stolen Bases - Emily Garcia, 8
Pitching
Earned Run Average - Eden Pufahl, 3.73
Innings Pitched - Ashley Shroll, 68.2
Strikeouts - Ashley Shroll, 33
Fielding
Putouts - Mayah Larenas, 277
Assists - Arissa Santos, 105
Fielding Double Plays - Arissa Santos, 14
Be sure to keep an eye out for all the CUC softball action this coming season. As always, coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
