Season Opener at Hartley Field
The McPherson Bulldogs opened their 2026 men’s soccer season on a cool evening at Hartley Field in Baldwin City, Kansas, where they met Baker University in their first match of the year.
Baker struck first in the seventh minute when Dylan Traudt’s low drive slipped past the Bulldogs’ keeper, and doubled their lead in the 35th minute through David Reid, pushing their series advantage to 5‑0.
McPherson answered before the break when Nathan Van Wyck converted a cross to make it 1‑1, and nearly equalized again when Ronald Lozano’s shot struck the post in the 47th minute.
The deadlock was broken again in the 61st minute as Elliot Powrie’s strike leveled the score, only for Baker’s Ian Waindim to net the decisive third goal moments later, finishing the game at 3‑1.
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back when they host Mid‑America Christian University on August 29 at 7:30 p.m. at Brubaker Family Stadium, aiming to turn the early loss into momentum for the rest of the season.
Looking Ahead
With the next contest on the horizon, McPherson’s coaching staff emphasized the need for tighter defensive organization and more clinical finishing, hoping to rewrite the narrative of their opening campaign.