Penn State women's soccer is entering a new chapter at the Beaver campus. This new phase begins with the hiring of Sam Sharpless as head coach.
Penn State Beaver Athletics announced the move earlier this month. The decision brings back an alumnus with deep local ties and a focus on program development.
Sharpless, a Beaver County native and graduate of Penn State Beaver, takes over the women's soccer program with a clear vision.
“I’m excited to come in and rebuild a program that has the capacity to compete for championships," he said, emphasizing both competitive goals and long-term growth.
His connection to the campus is central to the hire. Sharpless previously played for Penn State Beaver's men's soccer team. He later served as a goalkeeper coach for the program. Therefore, he has familiarity with the school's athletic structure.
He also brings a varied coaching background. Sharpless has led the Ellwood City High School boys soccer team since 2024. He previously worked with North Catholic's girls program, adding experience across multiple levels of the sport.
That combination of local roots and coaching experience stood out to athletic director Andy Kirschner.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sam back to Penn State Beaver as our head women’s soccer coach,” Kirschner said. “His connection to this campus, combined with his coaching experience and passion for student-athlete development, makes him a tremendous fit."
The hire reflects a broader emphasis on growth within Penn State women's soccer programs across its campuses. While Penn State Nittany Lions women's soccer competes at the Division I level in the Big Ten, Beaver operates within the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC). Additionally, it plays in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
As Penn State continues to evolve at every level, Sharpless is embracing the opportunity ahead.
"I truly believe Penn State Beaver can offer a lot to potential student-athletes, and I’m excited to help build something special here.”
Alexandra Eala opened her Madrid Open 2026 run with a statement performance, defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in straight sets to advance to the annual clay-court tournament's second round.
The 20-year-old Filipina secured a 6-3, 6-3 win, controlling the match from the baseline and showing composure against a more experienced opponent. The result marks a strong start to a key Grand Slam tune-up ahead of the French Open.
While the opening exchanges were tight, Eala quickly took control, using consistency and shot placement to keep Pavlyuchenkova off-rhythm. She subsequently remained steady across both sets, managing key moments without allowing momentum to swing.
Statistically, Eala won 68% of her first serves and won 76% of those points, while limiting unforced errors and maintaining control in longer rallies.
The performance helps Eala get back on track after building WTA Tour momentum over the past year. Her ability to handle a veteran opponent in straight sets adds another layer to her development, particularly on clay.
The win follows a mixed stretch. Eala is coming off a straight-set loss to Leylah Fernandez at the 2026 Stuttgart Open. However, prior to that, she made it to the Round of 16 at the 2026 Miami Open, showing she can continue to compete at a high level.
With the win, Eala advances to the Round of 64, where she will face 19th seed Elise Mertens after Mertens ousted US icon Venus Williams in the first round.
How to Watch Alexandra Eala at the Madrid Open 2026
The Madrid Open runs from April 21st through May 2nd, with live coverage on The Tennis Channel.
The 2026 PWHL playoffs are almost here, as the pro women's hockey league adds a unique twist to this year's Walter Cup race.
As the regular season wraps up this week, teams are battling for seeding. But unlike traditional pro hockey playoffs, the PWHL introduces a strategic wrinkle that adds another layer of drama.
How the PWHL Hockey Playoffs Work
The PWHL playoffs feature a streamlined, two-round format: a set of semifinals followed by the Walter Cup finals.
Four teams qualify for the postseason, with seeding determined by the final regular-season standings. But the biggest difference comes at the postseason's start.
In the PWHL, the No. 1 seed gets to choose its semifinal opponent between the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds — a rule unique to the league.
The format utilizes strategy, foments rivalries, and adds pressure before a single playoff game hits the ice, as teams weigh matchups instead of simply following a bracket.
Race to the 2026 Walter Cup Finals Intensifies
The push for the final playoff spots has remained tight late in the season, with multiple teams still in contention entering this week's final stretch.
That competitive balance reflects the league's growth. The PWHL continues to expand both its reach and visibility, with booming attendance following Team USA's gold medal-winning 2026 Winter Olympics campaign.
Now, that momentum carries into the postseason.
What to Expect in the PWHL Playoffs
With just two rounds, every postseason game matters.
The PWHL playoffs format rewards regular-season success. Finishing first not only secures the top seed, but also provides control over a team's path — a rare advantage in professional sports.
Once a champion is crowned, its name is engraved on the Walter Cup, with players and staff receiving championship rings to mark the achievement.
Recent history subsequently shows how unpredictable the postseason can be. Minnesota has won back-to-back titles in the league's first two seasons — yet each time the Frost entered as the No. 4 seed.
Claressa Shields is reinforcing her place at the top of women's boxing — both with her resume and her words.
The undisputed champion recently pushed back against fighters associated with Most Valuable Promotions Women (MVPW), questioning the level of competition and making clear she sees a gap between herself and the rest of the field.
"I have been dominant for 20 years," Shields said on social media. "A girl ain’t never gave me a run for my money, though. Not even close."
But her message didn't stop there, as she directly addressed ongoing comparisons, calling out the Jake Paul-backed organization.
"But what I'm going to say is this, you MVP b—tches, keep Claressa Shields name out your motherf—king mouth. All of ya'll! Ya'll suck."
Shields's frustration lay mostly with MVPW headliner Alycia Baumgardner, following Baumgardner's recent super featherweight win.
"Quit saying my name," she continued. "Quit hating on me to make you look better because when you get in the ring and you fight, you don't look better… When you want to be on my level, you need to work a little bit harder."
Shields's confidence likely draws on her status atop the ESPN rankings.
Shields remains the No. 1 pound-for-pound women's boxer, a position she has held via dominance across multiple divisions. Her resume includes world titles in five weight classes and a historic run as the only boxer — men's or women's — to be undisputed in three divisions in the four-belt era.
Riding a 17-0 record, she's additionally topped the heavyweight charts for years.
While MVPW and other promotional companies add to the women's boxing space by bringing in new audiences and building stars, Shields — a two-time Olympic gold medalist — still views herself as the sport's standard.
Ex-Indiana standout Chloe Spreen is seizing a new opportunity, signing with Illinois State women's basketball ahead of the 2026/27 NCAA season.
Illinois State announced the addition this week, bringing in the former Indiana Ms. Basketball and four-star high school recruit as the program continues to build momentum around a strong postseason run.
Head coach Kristen Gillespie points to Spreen's overall skill set, competitiveness, and leadership as key reasons behind the move.
"She's a dynamic combo guard with a high basketball IQ, relentless work ethic, and a competitive drive," Gillespie said. "Beyond her talent on the court, Chloe brings leadership and character that align perfectly with what we're building in our program. We believe she has the potential to make an immediate impact."
Spreen arrives after stops with the Indiana Hoosiers and the Alabama Crimson Tide, where she saw limited minutes but gained experience at the DI level.
During her 2025/26 season at Indiana, Spreen appeared in 11 games off the bench, averaging 4.7 minutes per contest. She previously played in 20 game as a freshman at Alabama.
Despite limited production so far, her high school resume remains a major part of her profile.
Spreen was named 2024 Indiana Ms. Basketball, finishing her high school career with 1,869 points and multiple all-state honors.
That background is part of why Illinois State views her as a potential impact addition.
The Redbirds are coming off a 24-14 season that included a run to the WNIT championship game, marking their sixth consecutive postseason appearance.
Now, Spreen enters a new system with a clearer path to playing time — giving her a chance to translate her high school success to a larger collegiate role as she looks to take the next step in her career.
Simone Biles is asking fans to respect her privacy while she visits Madrid for the Laureus World Sports Awards 2026, sharing a message on social media after crowds gathered outside her hotel.
Biles posted the request to her Instagram Stories, addressing her supporters who had been waiting outside throughout the day.
“okay I reallllly love how passionate and dedicated y’all are, BUT I have to be honest. It really makes me anxious when you stand outside of the hotel all day. Can we please please please love from afar 🤍🫶🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽🤞🏽 & respect privacy xx,” Biles wrote on Monday.
The Olympic champion made clear that while she still values fan interaction, she prefers it to happen outside her living space.
"I would love to take pics while I'm out & about though," she added.
Biles is currently in Madrid for the annual sports awards ceremony, where her presence has drawn widespread attention. The visibility reflects her continued global reach, extending well beyond professional competition.
Still, the situation highlights a familiar balance for high-profile athletes. Public appearances often bring large crowds, but the line between support and personal safety can blur — especially during travel.
Simone Biles approached the moment by acknowledging both sides. While expressing appreciation for fans, she also set clear boundaries.
As her trip continues, her focus remains on supporting the week's major international event.
The four-time Laureus Sportswoman of the Year plans to attend the ceremony as an ambassador and special guest, continuing her role as one of the world's most recognizable athletes.
Ta'Niya Latson wasn't selected as high as many expected in the 2026 WNBA Draft — but she still walked away with strong support from one of the league's most respected voices.
The former South Carolina guard fell to No. 20 overall, where the Los Angeles Sparks selected her in the second round. The pick marked a notable slide from earlier projections that had Latson going higher in the night's opening round.
Draft Night didn't unfold as expected — something Latson acknowledged herself.
“It was shocking to everybody; I mean, I was kind of shocked,” she said. “It’s about fit, I feel like. Fit over pick. I flipped my mentality immediately when I found out I was going to LA.”
Even so, her value hasn't gone unnoticed.
Longtime Sparks icon and future Hall of Famer Nneka Ogwumike praised Latson during her own (re)introductory press conference.
“I absolutely love her,” Ogwumike said Monday. “I think she is the biggest steal [in the WNBA draft] this year. You can tell who's somebody that's locked in. She is someone who does not like to lose, and she's quite mature for her age.”
Latson entered the draft after a standout season at South Carolina, where she adjusted her role on a loaded roster. After finishing 2024/25 at Florida State as DI basketball's leading scorer, she transfered to a more balanced system under coach Dawn Staley. There, she showed she could contribute beyond just putting up points.
And that versatility subsequently helped shape her fit in Los Angeles.
The Sparks are currently rebuilding, and Latson arrives with proven scoring instincts and heightened adaptability to different roles and systems.
With veteran support and clear opportunity ahead, Latson enters the WNBA with both motivation and belief. And the combination that could quickly redefine how the league's remembers her selection.
Allie Long is back on the field — and bringing her experience to the USL Gainbridge Super League.
The former USWNT midfielder signed with Fort Lauderdale United FC for the remainder of the 2025/26 season. This makes Long the first World Cup champion to join the US league.
Long's arrival marks a significant moment for the USL Gainbridge Super League, which launched in 2024 as a top-flight pro league alongside the NWSL.
At 38, Long made clear she had no plans to slow down.
"I've never been out," Long told ESPN. "I've never announced my retirement because it was always on my heart. I'm super excited to see where this goes and what comes of it. You'll probably have to roll me off the field when I'm 49 years old."
She joins Fort Lauderdale as the club pushes toward the postseason, adding veteran leadership and championship pedigree to a roster still developing its identity.
Long last played a full professional season in 2023 with Gotham FC, helping the club win the NWSL Championship after returning from maternity leave. Prior to that, she played key role on the USWNT's 2019 World Cup win.
"When a World Cup champion chooses to be part of what you're creating, that means something," Fort Lauderdale chairman Tommy Smith said in a team statement.
The signing highlights the growing pull of the USL Super League as it continues to establish itself as a top-level women's soccer option in the United States.
But for Long, it's all for love of the game.
"I love the game so much and I'm a competitor," she said. "I just want to walk off the field that I dedicated my whole life to in a place where I feel good leaving."
The JM Eagle LA Championship payout just reached a new level, with the LPGA announcing a purse increase to $4.75 million for the 2026 event.
The announcement came from chairman and CEO Walter Wang, who revealed the increase live on Golf Channel during Saturday’s third round of play.
That number now ranks among the largest purses on the LPGA Tour outside of major championships and the CME Group Tour Championship — another sign of the league's continued financial growth.
The increase came mid-tournament, with organizers adding an additional $1 million to the pool prize. That bump elevated the event from its original $3.75 million purse and continued a steady climb. The tournament doubled its purse from $1.5 million to $3 million in 2023, before rising to $3.75 million in 2024.
The winner's share reflects that jump. 2026 champion Hannah Green earned $712,500, up from $562,500 in previous years. The victory marked her third LA Championship title in four years — and her first victory at El Caballero Country Club.
However, that shift doesn't just impact No. 1, with each Top 10 finisher earning six-figure payouts. The move reinforces how much earning potential has grown across the LPGA.
The JM Eagle LA Championship tees off just before the Chevron Championship, the first major of the season. This makes it a key stop for players looking to build momentum — and now, a more lucrative one.
More broadly, the increase reflects a larger trend. The LPGA continues to push toward higher purses and expanded investment, with 2026 featuring record prize money across the schedule.
The Madrid Open is moving forward without Emma Raducanu, as the British star withdrew from the tournament ahead of the 2026 clay-court event.
Raducanu's decision comes as she continues to manage her early-season schedule, prioritizing long-term health after dealing with post-viral symptoms from an illness picked up during February's Middle East swing. The 2026 Madrid Open — a key WTA 1000 event leading into the Paris Open — had previously been part of her planned buildup.
Instead, she will take more time before returning to competition.
The withdrawal comes during a challenging stretch. Raducanu has dealt with injuries and illness over the past year, limiting her ability to string together consistent appearances. She enters this phase of the WTA season with a 7-7 record in 2026 and has not competed since early March's Indian Wells, where she fell 6-1, 6-1 to Amanda Anisimova in the second round.
Skipping Madrid allows the 23-year-old a chance to reset physically while still targeting a return on clay.
The world No. 27 has shown signs of progress when healthy. The 2021 US Open champion played four clay events last season, highlighted by a fourth-round run in Rome. But that stretch also included recurring back issues in Strasbourg and after Roland Garros, reinforcing the need for careful scheduling.
Raducanu is expected to return later in the spring, with the Italian Open and Roland Garros remaining key targets.
If she doesn't, her absence would stretch to nearly three months — leaving her short on match play heading into the grass-court season.
How to Watch the 2026 Madrid Open This Week
The Madrid Open starts on Tuesday, with Raducanu among several notable 2026 withdrawals, including Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Sonay Kartal, and Barbora Krejcikova.
Coverage of the tournament airs live on the Tennis Channel.