A New Chapter for the Knights
Bellarmine University’s men’s soccer program capped a historic 2025 campaign by winning the ASUN Gold Division title and reaching the conference tournament final, setting the stage for an ambitious 2026 season. The Knights will begin the new year under the guidance of Matt Cannady, who steps up from his role as an assistant coach to lead the team for the first time. Cannady inherits a roster that finished as a 2025 ASUN Tournament finalist and brings a blend of experience and fresh energy to the lineup.
The 2026 schedule comprises fifteen matches, eight of which are conference fixtures, and a balanced mix of home and away contests. The team opens its campaign on August 20 at home against Evansville, the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament runner‑up from the previous season, before hosting a series of non‑conference opponents in early September.
Exhibition games against NAIA programs Union and IU Columbus will take place on August 8 and August 11, respectively, providing early tuning opportunities before the first official match. The Knights will then travel to face Xavier on August 25, marking their first road test, followed by a home clash with Northern Kentucky on August 30 and a subsequent away game at Southern Indiana on September 8.
Conference play kicks off on September 5 when Bellarmine hosts Stetson, a team that finished the previous season with a 6‑8‑3 record and a 2‑3‑1 conference slate. Additional ASUN matchups are slated against Central Arkansas on September 19, North Florida on October 10, and Lipscomb on October 24, each presenting distinct challenges as the Knights navigate the league schedule.
Non‑conference road trips will see the team visit IU Indianapolis on October 13, travel to West Florida on September 26, and finish the regular season at Queens on October 31. In between, the Knights will host Hanover and Chicago State in September, and close the home portion of the schedule with a match against Jacksonville on October 17.
Throughout the campaign, Bellarmine will balance the rigors of a demanding schedule with the excitement of competing against both familiar rivals and new opponents. The blend of home‑field advantage and challenging away venues is designed to test the squad’s depth and resilience as they aim to defend their ASUN Gold Division crown in the upcoming season.