The Florida Atlantic men's soccer team will kick off its 2026 regular season on Thursday at 7 p.m., hosting Mercer in a match that promises to set the tone for the campaign ahead.
A season built on recent success
The Owls arrive after a dominant 2025 campaign in which they posted a 12‑4‑2 record, captured the American Conference Tournament Championship and shared the regular‑season title. Their defensive stability was underscored by goalkeeper Alfred Mikkelsen, who earned the conference's Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year honor and tied the program record with six clean sheets.
Adding depth to the attack, Michel Tentchou, a Frankfurt‑born forward who previously excelled at Northwestern Ohio (NAIA), brings a proven scoring touch after netting 17 goals over two seasons. Midfield creativity will be bolstered by Jonas Sundli‑Hardig, a Bergen native who led the Big South Conference with eight assists in 2025.
Mercer's road to redemption
The Bears finished the previous season at 5‑9‑4, exiting the Southern Conference Tournament in the first round against UNC‑Greensboro. Coach Brad Ruzzo will look to rebuild around junior striker Junior Casillas, who topped the team in scoring and contributed heavily in goals and points.
Historically, the series favors Mercer, which holds a 10‑6‑2 edge over the Owls. Nevertheless, Florida Atlantic's recent conference dominance and home‑field advantage make Thursday's encounter a compelling opening test.
Looking ahead to the home opener
Following the Mercer match, the Owls will host UCF on August 23 at 6 p.m., a game that will be streamed live on ESPN+. The broadcast will give fans a first look at the new-look squad as they aim to translate early-season momentum into a strong push for the conference title.