AUSL season begins with Carolina hosting Portland, featuring Lady Vols alumni
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 9, 2026, 1:09 PM
Last updated Jun 9, 2026
The 2026 AUSL season opens Tuesday with a matchup between the Carolina Blaze and Portland Cascade at 5 p.m. EDT at Smith Family Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Three former Lady Vols are part of the rosters: Karlyn Pickens and Aubrey Leach on the Blaze, and Payton Gottshall on the Cascade. Pickens was the top pick in the 2026 AUSL college draft and recently graduated from Tennessee, while Leach serves as the Blaze's director of player development. Gottshall, an All-American during her tenure at Tennessee, also brings competitive experience to the Cascade.
- •AUSL opener features Carolina Blaze vs. Portland Cascade.
- •Match scheduled for 5 p.m. EDT at Smith Family Stadium.
- •Karlyn Pickens and Aubrey Leach play for Carolina Blaze.
- •Payton Gottshall represents Portland Cascade.
- •Pickens was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 AUSL draft.
- 1:09 PMYahoo Sports — AUSL season opens Tuesday with game featuring three Lady Vols
"Three former Lady Vols are on 2026 AUSL rosters for Tuesday's season opener.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- College Sports•Jun 9, 2026, 3:12 PMOregon Ducks land prediction to pick up 5-star WR in 2027 class
College SportsCollege Sports•Jun 9, 2026, 3:04 PMBlue-chip FSU commit says his recruitment is 'open"- College Sports•Jun 9, 2026, 3:01 PMButler beefs up nonconference schedule, adds games vs. Nebraska in Chicago
- College Sports•Jun 9, 2026, 3:01 PMThis is who will be Ohio State’s starting linebackers in 2026
- College Sports•Jun 9, 2026, 3:00 PMBoston Celtics 2026 NBA Draft interviewee Kashie Natt 2025-26 NCAA highlights
- College Sports•Jun 9, 2026, 3:00 PMSyracuse football: Orange get two more 2027 commitments from 2027 DB Jamel Griffin
