Just over a week before beginning its 2025 season, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff has a new women’s soccer coach.
UAPB announced Emanuel Stephens as the team’s new leader Thursday afternoon. Stephens replaces Jayme Selph after one season.
Stephens brings SWAC experience to Pine Bluff, having led the Alabama A&M program from 2017-22. After leaving that role, he founded Stephens Soccer Academy in Huntsville, Ala., coaching youth soccer.
Prior to AAMU, Stephens worked on coaching staffs at Youngstown State, Concordia College and Talladega College.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Coach Stephens brings a unique combination of competitive experience, proven success, and player development expertise that aligns perfectly with the vision we have for our women’s soccer program,” said UAPB Athletic Director Chris Robinson. “His passion for the game and dedication to mentorship will have a tremendous impact on our student-athletes both on and off the field.”
The Lady Lions are looking to bounce back from a 1-12-2 season which saw them finish winless in SWAC play.
UAPB is scheduled to host Williams Baptist for a preseason exhibition on Aug. 15 before opening the regular season with a home match against Little Rock on Aug. 17.
Riedel named preseason GK of the year
UAPB goalkeeper Makaila Riedel has been named the SWAC preseason goalkeeper of the year, the conference announced Friday.
Riedel, a senior, was also named preseason first team All-SWAC. She was the only Lady Lion to receive preseason honors. The Riverside, Calif., native is entering her third season as UAPB’s full-time starter after starting seven games as a freshman in 2022.
Last season, she led the SWAC with 157 saves, an average of 10.47 per game. She finished 2024 with a 0.727 save percentage, sixth in the league.
UAPB picked last in preseason poll
The Lady Lions were picked to finish last in the SWAC in the league’s preseason poll.
UAPB received 30 points in the poll, finishing 10th behind Mississippi Valley State, which received 39 points and a first-place vote.
Southern was picked as the preseason favorite, receiving seven first-place votes and 108 points. Texas Southern was picked second with four first-place votes, followed by Grambling State and Jackson State.
Alabama A&M, Alabama State and Prairie View A&M were picked fifth, sixth and seventh. Alcorn State, which did not field a team last season, was picked eighth.
UAPB finished last in 2024, a year removed from a fifth-place finish in 2023.