Record‑breaking home schedule sets the stage
The 2026 schedule for Emporia State University’s men’s soccer team was released recently, revealing a record‑breaking ten home contests, the most since the program’s early 2010s surge. The Hornets will spread their matches across six of the seven days of the week, giving fans frequent opportunities to watch the team in action.
The season opens with a high‑profile doubleheader against Drury and Maryville, both of whom reached the NCAA Tournament last year. Drury finished the previous campaign at 10‑3‑8 overall and captured the GLVC Tournament, while Maryville posted a 13‑3‑6 record and advanced to the Midwest Region Championship match.
Following those openers, the Hornets will host Rockhurst on September 2, travel to Weatherford, Oklahoma to meet Southwestern Oklahoma State on September 5, and then begin a four‑match home stretch against Colorado State‑Pueblo on September 11. The slate also includes road trips to Edmond for a showdown with Central Oklahoma and to Warrensburg for a clash with Central Missouri.
Mid‑season action sees Emporia State face Pittsburg State on October 2, a team that went 14‑4‑2 a year ago, and later host Newman in a three‑match home stretch beginning October 9. The Turnpike Tussle against Missouri Southern is scheduled for October 11, after which the Hornets will journey to Warrensburg for a rematch with Central Missouri on October 18.
The regular season culminates on October 28 with a home game against Rogers State, before the Mid‑America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Tournament kicks off on November 1 in Wichita. Semifinals will be held at the Stryker Sports Complex on November 6, with the championship match set for November 8.
Beyond conference play, the first four rounds of the NCAA Tournament will be hosted on campus sites, leading to the national semifinals and championship games in Kansas City, Missouri at CPKC Stadium. This fall marks the third year for head coach Jane Grimley‑Gunn, who guided the team to a 9‑6‑5 record and a semifinal appearance in the 2025 MIAA Tournament.