Andrew Mills

Sophomore Barboar Kadlecova helped GGC’s defense post six shutouts while registering 11 points on offense

Returning All-American Anchoring Women’s Soccer Defense This Fall

8/17/2026 10:00:00 AM

Optimism abounds for the 2026 Georgia Gwinnett College women’s soccer team that’s striving to build upon last season’s success, including a 10-win record, thrilling conference championship and qualifying for the NAIA national tournament.

A big reason for this optimism is the fact that sophomore Barbora Kadlecova is returning to anchor the Grizzlies’ defensive unit.

Kadlecova collected third NAIA All-America team accolades following a freshman campaign in which she was the Continental Athletic Conference Player of the Year. She helped GGC’s defense post six shutouts while registering 11 points on offense, with four goals and three assists while starting 20 matches.

The good news is that the best player in the conference is back and anchoring our defense. We also have several choices to surround her with on this year’s team,

- Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano, who enters his 10th season guiding the Grizzlies

GGCAthletics.com concludes its preseason position preview series by highlighting those players that will make up the back line of the team’s defense, supporting experienced and talented goalkeeper candidates.

Kadlecova began her GGC career as a forward before making an immediate impact with the defensive unit near the midway point of last season. Her offensive prowess didn’t take a back seat, scoring three goals and aiding another three tallies as a defender.

Barbora is strong physically and reads the game very well. She combines her defense with quality offense. We could be challenged as a team to score goals. In those cases, she could see some minutes as a forward, since she has played both roles for us in the past,

- Head Coach Dr. Mike Giuliano, whose GGC teams have qualified for the NAIA national tournament in all nine seasons as head coach

Barbora Kadlecova began the 2025 season as a forward, but made her biggest contribution as a defender in the back half of the campaign

Meanwhile, sophomore Dara Naismith gained valuable experience during spring preseason practices after appearing in 16 matches as a reserve defender in 2025.

Senior Paula Ortiz has been a three-year contributor, with 27 starts among her 49 career matches. The Grizzlies have won three straight CAC titles during her playing tenure.

Senior Paula Ortiz enters her fourth season as a defender in Lawrenceville

Senior Jade Perrin has athleticism and playmaking skills to contribute to the team’s offensive attack as a wingback. She scored four goals and had three assists after starting last season as a defender. Perrin may once again find herself in both roles on GGC’s pitch this fall.

“Dara had a great spring and Paula is a senior captain who provides leadership for the team. With Jade potentially playing as a wingback, it will help our defense,” said Giuliano.

Sophomore Olivia Broderick made seven appearances off the bench last fall and returns to add depth to the team’s defensive unit, along with freshmen Jonanna Buck, Moa Koster and Mia Sereno.

Georgia Gwinnett College opens the 2026 season at home against Montreat College (North Carolina) on Saturday, August 22, at the Grizzly Soccer Complex, starting at 4:30 p.m.

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