A Season of Expectations
The Broncos enter the 2026 campaign with a 16‑4‑1 overall record and a 10‑1‑1 mark in the Mid‑American Conference, positioning them as favorites to capture a fourth straight championship. Coach Lewis Robinson has built the team around teamwork and consistency, emphasizing that the pursuit of excellence begins with daily habits rather than occasional brilliance.
At the heart of the squad are captain Meredith Vance and goalkeeper Reagan Sulaver, both of whom have experienced the pressures of championship seasons. Vance, now a vocal leader on the field, believes this year offers a chance to elevate the team’s voice and influence. Sulaver, the returning starter who earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors, will anchor a defense that has become the program’s backbone.
The roster also welcomes back graduate students Drew Martin and Heidi Thomasma, who bring accolades such as All‑MAC first‑team recognition and tournament MVP honors. Their experience complements a core group that includes juniors Mikayla Coore‑Pascal and June Mullen, adding depth and versatility as the team fine‑tunes its tactics.
A major highlight of the preseason is a planned trip to Hawaii, where the Broncos will face Idaho on Tuesday before hosting the local team on Thursday. The itinerary, finalized over a year and a half of fundraising and player commitment, serves both as a competitive test and a bonding experience for a squad that has seen significant turnover in recent years.
Exhibition matches have already provided a laboratory for experimentation, with the most recent game ending in a 7‑0 victory that showcased the team’s attacking potential. The coaching staff used the outing to evaluate new additions and sharpen strategies that will be crucial when the regular season begins.
Despite the inevitable changes that come with graduating seniors and new recruits, the Broncos have maintained a coherent style of play, training methodology, and team ethos. This continuity, according to Robinson, is the foundation upon which sustained success is built, allowing the program to remain competitive year after year.