July 6, 2026
WPSL 2026, SJEB FC (photo by SJEB FC)
By Nichole Singleton, WPSL Communications
Consistency is key.
Three division titles in four seasons has solidified SJEB FC as a truly consistent contender in the Mid-Atlantic Conference, which has become one of the most competitive conferences in the WPSL in recent years. After claiming its first division title in 2023, the south Jersey side is the best in the Colonial Division once more, winning back-to-back titles off seven wins, one draw, and 20 goals scored in 2026.
For Head Coach Bill Shute, the achievement reflects the effort the team and program consistently puts in each season. More specifically, this is a testament to SJEB’s youth development program, which produced 70 percent of its roster this season.
SJEB takes pride in building its roster and uses refined precision during its selection process to find its leaders in captains ahead of the season. For 2026, those captains were Dani Stuart (St. Joseph’s University) and Adrianna Pepe (South Carolina Upstate) who are both products of SJEB’s youth system.
Additionally, Olivia Brocious (Drexel University) was also named a captain and her offensive efforts alongside those of Olivia McMaster (Manhattan University), and Brown University’s Naomi Nnewihe, who earned East Regions Offensive Player of the Week in Week Six, collectively accounted for 12 goals.
SJEB finished 2026 without a loss for the first time in six years, but it didn’t come easy.
In its season opener, SJEB went toe-to-toe with Philadelphia expansion Love City FC which resulted in a six-goal barnburner that saw three lead changes. After a penalty kick in the 88th minute pulled Love City level at 2-2, the division newcomers found what it thought to be the gamewinner in the stoppage time before Emily Morgank, an incoming freshman at the University of Rhode Island, leveled it moments after to secure the draw for SJEB and its only blemish of 2026.
SJEB went on to win out its remaining seven game schedule, averaging nearly 2.5 goals per game with three shutouts. While Shute acknowledges the impressive stats his players produced this season, he prefers to shift the focus away from what they may be used to in the college game.
“We bring the players back to a possession focused game, train a lot in tight possession activities and focus on developing great team camaraderie. So the goal coming back each season is to develop great team chemistry, ensure the players enjoy the training sessions and play good team soccer where we share the ball around the field.”
SJEB’s 2026 season proves once more the success of developing team chemistry consistently.
