A final preseason test
On Saturday evening the DePaul Blue Demons will host their third preseason exhibition, a free‑admission match against the Wisconsin Badgers at the McClimon Track/Soccer Complex in Madison. The game, scheduled for 6 p.m., serves as the last tune‑up before the 2026 season officially begins.
Wisconsin will be led by fourth‑year head coach Neil Jones, who has assembled a squad that includes 18 letterwinners from the 2025 roster and nine newcomers. Among the returning standouts are Matthew Zachemski and Markie Hrojevic, who finished among the team’s top three goal scorers last season.
The Blue Demons’ preseason slate will continue with road contests against Bradley on August 20, Ohio State on August 24 and a home opener against Western Illinois on August 27. That final matchup will also double as the team’s first home game of the year.
Earlier in the preseason DePaul tested itself against Indian Hills Community College and No. 4 Saint Louis, while Wisconsin previously welcomed Drake and St. Thomas to its own exhibition series. Those encounters have helped both programs fine‑tune tactics and chemistry ahead of the upcoming schedule.
Looking ahead
For DePaul, the exhibition against Wisconsin offers a final chance to experiment with formations and evaluate depth before the regular season begins. Fans will have the opportunity to see the new-look squad in action without charge, adding to the excitement surrounding a campaign that promises several high‑profile road tests.