Experienced Oilers Look to Turn Corner in 2026 Girls Soccer Campaign
With a more seasoned roster and a clear sense of who they want to be, the East Alton-Wood River Oilers girls soccer program enters the new season focused on turning last year’s growing pains into tangible progress. Coming off a three-win campaign, the Oilers will lean on continuity, chemistry and an experienced senior core as they look to reestablish themselves in the area landscape under head coach Diane Cox.
The Oilers’ identity centers on an upperclass group that has largely grown up together in the program. Seniors Emma Glenn, Kaylee Halleman and Fallyn Sanders headline that core, each bringing three years of varsity experience. Senior Jazmyn Smith also returns to the squad after not playing her junior year, adding another familiar face and veteran presence to a locker room that now skews older than in recent seasons.
Replacing goals will be the central question for East Alton-Wood River after graduating a 15-goal scorer from last year’s roster. Junior Eva Steiniger, who finished tied with Sanders as the team’s top returning points producer, is expected to shoulder much of that attacking responsibility while also taking on a larger leadership role. Juniors Serinity Gaunt and Taylor Roady, along with sophomores Taylor Honnen, Madi Gould and Raigen Hill, give the Oilers additional returning depth across the field as they search for new scoring options by committee.
The program’s primary strength lies in familiarity. Many of the Oilers’ upperclassmen have been playing together since their freshman year, which Cox will look to translate into better organization, decision-making and consistency over 80 minutes. Sophomore transfer Marayah Hundelt adds a new element and perspective to that core, while a freshman class of five players is expected to contribute key minutes off the bench as the season progresses.
Several dates on the schedule stand out as measuring sticks for the Oilers’ development. A conference showdown at neighborhood rival Roxana on Monday, March 23, is expected to be an early barometer for how far the group has come. East Alton-Wood River also has a slate of familiar Missouri opponents—Jennings (away on April 14), Normandy (home on March 25), Hazelwood East (away on April 6) and McCluer North (away on April 24)—teams the Oilers have had success against in recent years and will look to continue to use as confidence builders.
With experience now on their side, the Oilers enter the season with realistic optimism. If Steiniger, Sanders and the rest of the attack can collectively replace the departed goal production, and the veteran core continues to steady the group, East Alton-Wood River appears positioned to improve on last year’s record and move the program forward in 2026.
