Xavier University’s men’s soccer program revealed its 2026 schedule on Wednesday, outlining an 11‑match home campaign at Corcoran Field that blends a tough non‑conference slate with the start of BIG EAST competition.
A challenging non‑conference schedule
The Musketeers open the season on Aug. 20 against Purdue Fort Wayne before traveling to face Western Michigan on Aug. 8 and Indiana‑Indy on Aug. 15 in preseason friendlies. They will then square off against four opponents ranked in the United Soccer Coaches top‑25 — Georgetown, Akron, Marshall and UConn — and meet two additional teams that participated in the 2025 NCAA Tournament, bringing the total number of tournament participants to five.
The non‑conference slate also includes matches against clubs from five different conferences, giving the squad exposure to a variety of playing styles early in the year. BIG EAST play kicks off on Sept. 18 at DePaul, and the conference championships are slated for the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md., from Nov. 12‑15.
Returning talent and new additions
Xavier returns 12 letterwinners from the previous season, among them goalkeeper Jonny Mennell, who sits tied for first in Xavier history for career shutouts. The roster will welcome 14 newcomers, bolstering depth and adding fresh legs to the attack. Coach John Higgins, now in his seventh year at the helm, brings a 27‑19‑22 record and a 2023 BIG EAST Championship to the program.
The coaching staff’s stability appears to be paying dividends, as the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022 featured a 14‑match unbeaten streak. With the addition of MLS SuperDraft picks Jabari De Coteau and Cooper Forcellini — selected by the Colorado Rapids and St. Louis CITY SC respectively — the Musketeers hope to translate early‑season tests into sustained success.