Marquette University’s men’s soccer program begins its 2026 season on Thursday night, welcoming the Oakland Golden Grizzlies to Valley Fields in Madison. The opening match marks the first home game for the Golden Eagles this year and offers a chance for fans to see the revamped roster in action.
Schedule and early opponents
After the Thursday night kickoff, Marquette will travel to face Saint Mary’s on Sunday afternoon. Both opponents are coming off challenging 2025 campaigns. Oakland posted a combined 5‑17‑12 record across all sports last season, with its men’s soccer squad finishing 3‑9‑6, a step down from the 2024 Horizon League regular‑season title (6‑1‑2). Saint Mary’s has recorded back‑to‑back two‑win seasons after an eight‑year stretch of .500 or better finishes.
Historical context
While this will be the first meeting between Marquette and Saint Mary’s, the rivalry with Oakland is long‑standing. The two programs have faced each other eight times, with Oakland holding a 6‑2 advantage. Marquette’s most recent victory in the series came in 2000.
Roster overhaul and new talent
Following a 7‑7‑2 record in 2025, the Golden Eagles entered the offseason with a major roster overhaul. Coach David Korn and his staff cast a wide net, adding players from Scandinavia, Switzerland, and the Yukon, while maintaining strong recruiting ties to Wisconsin and Illinois. Five of the new arrivals are international players, bringing the total number of internationals on the 2026 roster to eleven.
Offensively, Marquette has re‑signed its top point producers wearing jerseys No. 1, No. 3, and No. 5. Defensively, the team returns two starters and one of its two goalkeepers who split time last season.
Coaching success in non‑conference play
In the two seasons under Head Coach David Korn, Marquette has compiled a 10‑3‑4 record overall, including a 6‑0‑2 mark in non‑conference games in 2025. The early season schedule provides an opportunity for the team to build on that success and set a tone for conference play.
Looking ahead
Fans attending the Thursday night game can expect a competitive showcase as the Golden Eagles test their new lineup against a familiar regional opponent. The match will also serve as a preview of the team’s readiness for the Horizon League schedule later in the fall.
Tickets are available through the university’s athletics website, and the university encourages students, alumni, and community members to support the team at Valley Fields.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
