Belmont University’s men’s soccer squad is set to begin its 2026 campaign on the road, heading to Dayton, Ohio, for a Sunday evening showdown with Wright State at Alumni Field on August 23.
A rocky start
The Bruins arrive after a 2‑0 defeat to Memphis, a game in which they were outshot 14‑4 and saw two second‑half goals slip past them. Freshman goalkeeper Brody Sucher made four saves on his debut, but the defense, usually among the nation’s best, will be tested again.
This season the roster has been reshaped with ten newcomers, eight of them summer recruits and two added in January. Among the returning core are sophomore midfielder Paul Claes Nielsen, graduate midfielder Ethan Schlegel and senior forward Lucas Wolthers, while senior Louis Peña netted the winning penalty in last year’s opener.
New faces and familiar names
Belmont’s defensive pedigree remains a point of pride; in 2025 the team conceded just 13 goals, ranking fifth nationally, and went unbeaten for the first 11 matches in school history before a narrow loss to Memphis ended the streak.
A familiar foe
The match also marks the seventh meeting between Belmont and Wright State, a series dominated by the Raiders with a 4‑1‑1 edge. A year ago the Bruins edged Wright State 2‑1, with Peña’s penalty kick sealing the victory.
Looking ahead, Belmont will next host Central Arkansas on Friday, a game that will stream on ESPN+, while the team hopes to translate its early road experience into a stronger start to the campaign.