The Utah State Aggies soccer program is poised to open its 2026 campaign with a pair of high‑profile road tests, beginning with a showdown against Kansas on August 12 at 6 p.m. Mountain Time, followed by a home debut against Michigan on August 16 at 7 p.m. at Chuck & Gloria Bell Field in Logan, Utah.
A legacy of winning
Under head coach Manny Martins, the Aggies enter the season riding a wave of historic success that includes three consecutive league tournament championships, three straight NCAA Tournament berths, and a defensive record that has kept opponents to under a goal per game for five straight years. Martins, who boasts a 63‑26‑24 record and the winningest five‑year stretch in program history, has assembled a roster that features returning All‑Mountain West Second Team selection Austin Miller and United Soccer Coaches Pacific Region First Team honoree Summer Sofonia.
Family ties and key returnees
What sets this squad apart is its unprecedented family connection: three separate pairs of sisters — Kaeda and Kunie Wilson, Mia and Capriel Winder, and Samantha and Solena Sellers — make up a unique trio of sibling duos, the only such configuration in collegiate soccer. The depth extends to players like Hadli and Bentli Barrera, Jillian Gregorski, Caroline Castans, Elle Ervin, Gabrielle Prych, and others who have contributed to a culture of cohesion and competition.
Challenging schedule and Pac‑12 transition
The non‑conference slate is deliberately challenging, featuring six power‑conference opponents and a handful of teams that have recently advanced to the NCAA Tournament. This tough schedule is intended to sharpen the Aggies before they transition into Pac‑12 play, a move that follows 13 seasons in the Mountain West Conference alongside Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Oregon State, Washington State, Gonzaga, and Texas State.
What’s next
The Aggies will next host Portland on August 20 at 7:30 p.m., continuing a demanding road‑to‑conference itinerary that also includes a matchup against Kansas City in the coming weeks. With a home record of 131‑49‑33 at Chuck & Gloria Bell Field and an unbeaten start to the season under Martins (3‑0‑2), the team aims to extend its winning tradition as it eyes a deep run in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.