June 28, 2026
WPSL 2026, Georgia Impact (photo by Bryant A.)
By Andrew Mosier, WPSL Communications
Win.
It is all Georgia Impact had to do last Wednesday to clinch its first Southeast Conference title.
And just like it had done all season, Georgia Impact did just that, beating UFA Gunners on the road 4-1.
“To win the conference with two games left to play is a massive achievement that the players should be deeply proud of,” Robert Roddie, Georgia Impact head coach, said.
Playing in one of the most historically competitive conferences In its three previous WPSL seasons, before this year’s Southeast Conference championship run, Georgia Impact had not finished higher than third (2023 and 2025), or lower than fifth in its four seasons in the league.
Going into the season, Roddie from experience just what it took was required to win in the league, assembling a balanced squad he believed was capable of challenging for the conference title before the start of the season.
“We have a squad of 36 players, including 24 returners who truly understand our commitment and expectations, and they have been fantastic role models for our newcomers this year,” Roddie said.
Impact kicked off the 2026 season in barn-burning fashion, going up 3-0 on the road versus Nashville Rhythm FC before finally winning the game 4-3.
In the club’s home opener the next week, Impact needed a game winner from Mireya Stephenson after going down 2-1 in the first quarter of an hour of the game to get a 3-2 win over Atlanta Fire United.
Four days later traveled to face conference-leading Chattanooga FC in what would prove to be the defining match of the season. Team captain, Grace Eatz, scored the game-winner in the 58th minute and the defense, backed by Charlee Bernal in goal, earned its first clean sheet of the season in the upset that earned the club Week Five Team of the Week honors.
Impact followed that with another nail-biting win thanks to a Madison Hook game-winner in the 90th minute over 865 Alliance, followed five days later with a convincing 2-0 win over last year’s division champs, DECATUR FC with goals on either side of halftime by Sarah Houston and Eatz.
“Grace Eatz, our captain, has been incredible for us all season. She brings a tireless work rate to the midfield that provides defensive stability while remaining a constant attacking threat, coming up with valuable goals, like her strike against DECATUR FC,” Roddie said.
Goalkeeper Jaddah Foos earned Impact’s second shutout of the season, and defender Charlee Bernal earned praise from Roddie for her defensive work all season.
“Charlee [Bernal] is a four-year starter for us. She played a huge part in keeping us defensively organized, keeping the ball out of our net,” Roddie said.
With goals against Nashville Rhythm FC, Atlanta Fire United (two), and UFA Gunners, Stephenson leads the club in scoring with four goals on the season.
“Mireya [Stephenson] has consistently stepped up for us with crucial goals, assists, and dominant attacking performances,” Roddie said.
As Southeast Conference champion, Georgia Impact will host the South Region Playoffs July 11 and 12, with the winner advancing to the WPSL Championships in Kansas City, Mo. July 18 and 19.
