A challenging slate ahead
Appalachian State University’s men’s soccer program has released its 2026 fall schedule, promising eight home contests and five Sun Belt Conference games at The Valley. The announcement comes as the team rides a three‑year streak of at least seven victories, setting high expectations for the upcoming campaign.
Head coach Aimee Haywood said the schedule is designed to test the squad against top talent, highlighting non‑conference fixtures against Miami, Gardner‑Webb, East Carolina, and ETSU. “We’re excited to see how our players respond to these challenges,” Haywood remarked.
The season opens on August 13 with a home matchup against UNCW at 6 p.m., and the first ACC victory in program history was achieved against Miami last year. Conference play kicks off on September 18 against Georgia State, followed by road trips to Louisiana Tech, Old Dominion and James Madison in October.
The regular season will conclude with a home finale against Troy on November 1 at 1 p.m., after which the team will compete in the Sun Belt Tournament from November 9‑14 in Foley, Alabama. The full slate also includes contests with Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Arkansas State, Southern Miss, Marshall and others, promising a busy and competitive stretch.