University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Camille Menzies/UGAAA
Herniter Bringing Strong Play And Leadership
September 21, 2026 | Soccer
By Shannon Butler
UGA Sports Communications
Maddy Herniter isn't slowing down for her sophomore season. From the Soccer in Sanford event to a schedule full of ranked opponents, the Georgia defender isn't shying away from the whirlwind start to the year.
Playing in front of a record-breaking crowd during Georgia soccer's home opener against James Madison in Sanford Stadium — it was the largest crowd ever at a women's or men's collegiate soccer game — was a milestone moment, but Herniter kept the crowd in perspective.
"The pressure was a privilege," she said. "Imagine 10 years ago saying you're going to play in front of 25,433 people."
Despite the historic match and tough competition, she's made sure to stay focused and attack every game the same, regardless of the setting or opponent.
"It doesn't matter if they're ranked," she said.
Head coach Keidane McAlpine echoed that mindset when asked about how facing top SEC programs alters his preparation.
"Doesn't change it much," he said.
That composure stems from Herniter's quick evolution on the pitch. After being thrust directly into the starting lineup as a freshman, starting 17 of 19 games, she's taken this year to elevate her decision-making and tactical awareness. McAlpine expressed his pride in Herniter's growth this season.
"When you think about her freshman year, we kind of just threw her into the fire and said, 'Survive,'" McAlpine said. "She's reading and recognizing moments better," he added, "she's taken on more of a leadership role."
Her maturity extends beyond the college game. With international experience under her belt from the USWNT U-19 team, Herniter is in a unique position to lead her teammates.
"Getting the experience with all these high-level players, and they all come from different colleges, so it's all different styles of play," said Herniter, from Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. "I think it's about taking a piece of everyone and then bringing back everything I learn in the classroom here to apply."
Herniter has also excelled in the classroom. Named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll last year, she says, "It's hard to play well in soccer when I don't feel like I'm doing well in school."
Her balanced approach and leadership shined through earlier this month in a challenging situation for the team. The Bulldogs tied No. 2 Vanderbilt 1-1, despite a red card in the first half of the game that meant losing starting goalkeeper Jordan Brown for the rest of the game and playing with just 10 players the rest of the way. Both McAlpine and Herniter agreed that the Vandy game was some of the best soccer the Bulldogs have played all season, and they hope to expand on it going forward.
The Bulldogs, playing their third straight ranked opponent, led No. 24 Oklahoma 1-0 at halftime of their match on Friday at the Turner Soccer Complex, but the Sooners rallied in the second half for a 3-1 win. Georgia hits the road this week for a pair of matches, at Arkansas on Thursday and at LSU on Sunday.
UGA Sports Communications
Maddy Herniter isn't slowing down for her sophomore season. From the Soccer in Sanford event to a schedule full of ranked opponents, the Georgia defender isn't shying away from the whirlwind start to the year.
Playing in front of a record-breaking crowd during Georgia soccer's home opener against James Madison in Sanford Stadium — it was the largest crowd ever at a women's or men's collegiate soccer game — was a milestone moment, but Herniter kept the crowd in perspective.
"The pressure was a privilege," she said. "Imagine 10 years ago saying you're going to play in front of 25,433 people."
Despite the historic match and tough competition, she's made sure to stay focused and attack every game the same, regardless of the setting or opponent.
"It doesn't matter if they're ranked," she said.
Head coach Keidane McAlpine echoed that mindset when asked about how facing top SEC programs alters his preparation.
"Doesn't change it much," he said.
That composure stems from Herniter's quick evolution on the pitch. After being thrust directly into the starting lineup as a freshman, starting 17 of 19 games, she's taken this year to elevate her decision-making and tactical awareness. McAlpine expressed his pride in Herniter's growth this season.
"When you think about her freshman year, we kind of just threw her into the fire and said, 'Survive,'" McAlpine said. "She's reading and recognizing moments better," he added, "she's taken on more of a leadership role."
Her maturity extends beyond the college game. With international experience under her belt from the USWNT U-19 team, Herniter is in a unique position to lead her teammates.
"Getting the experience with all these high-level players, and they all come from different colleges, so it's all different styles of play," said Herniter, from Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. "I think it's about taking a piece of everyone and then bringing back everything I learn in the classroom here to apply."
Herniter has also excelled in the classroom. Named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll last year, she says, "It's hard to play well in soccer when I don't feel like I'm doing well in school."
Her balanced approach and leadership shined through earlier this month in a challenging situation for the team. The Bulldogs tied No. 2 Vanderbilt 1-1, despite a red card in the first half of the game that meant losing starting goalkeeper Jordan Brown for the rest of the game and playing with just 10 players the rest of the way. Both McAlpine and Herniter agreed that the Vandy game was some of the best soccer the Bulldogs have played all season, and they hope to expand on it going forward.
The Bulldogs, playing their third straight ranked opponent, led No. 24 Oklahoma 1-0 at halftime of their match on Friday at the Turner Soccer Complex, but the Sooners rallied in the second half for a 3-1 win. Georgia hits the road this week for a pair of matches, at Arkansas on Thursday and at LSU on Sunday.
Players Mentioned
Goalkeeper
/ Soccer
Defender
/ SoccerFriday, September 18
Thursday, September 10
Thursday, September 10
Thursday, September 03