Preview: Lady Bisons chasing historic postseason three-peat under new leadership

When the Lipscomb Women’s soccer team steps onto the pitch in Jacksonville, Florida on Thursday, they won’t just be playing for a spot in the next round of the ASUN Championship. They will be playing to keep a dynasty alive.

The No. 6 seed Bisons are set to face off against the No. 3 seed Bellarmine University in a high-stakes, first-round knockout match. For the veterans players on the roster, the goal is clear; secure a historic back-to-back-back ASUN title. But for the women leading them from the sidelines, the narrative looks a little different.

This marks the first postseason run for Lipscomb head coach Dr. Kathleen Paulsen.

Hired in December 2025, Paulsen stepped into one of the most unique situations in collegiate sports. She inherited a powerhouse program that captured the conference crown in both 2024 and 2025 under former head coach Kevin O’Brien. While wasn’t on the sidelines for those previous two rings, the pressure to deliver the elusive “triple championship” now rest on her shoulders. It is the ultimate sports storylines, a first-year coach tasked with finishing a three-peat she didn’t start.

To rewrite the history books, the Bisons will have to go through a brutally foe. Thursday’s match will be the third time Lipscomb and Bellarmine have clashed in less than three weeks, making it true “rubber match” will ultimate consequences.

The Knights took the first meeting on Oct. 18 in a tight 3-2 battle. Just days ago, on Halloween, the two squads battled through to a grueling 1-1 draw in a regular-season finale. In 81st-minute equalizer to snatch momentum away from the Knights right before the postseason brackets were locked.

Because the tournament is being held at the natural site in Jacksonville, regular-season records and home-field advantage fly out the windows. On paper, the Bisons wear the No. 6 underdog tag. In reality, they carry the irresponsible DNA of back-to-back-to- back championships.

If Dr.Paulsen can can guide this veteran group past a dangerous Bellarmine squad on Thursday, she won’t just be advancing in the bracket, she will be cementing her own legacy in Nashville and proving that while coaches change, the Bisons’ championship standard does not.

Featured Image taken courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics