Indiana University’s men’s soccer program has not lifted a national championship since 2012, a span that now stretches to 13 years. The 2026 campaign marks the first opportunity for the Hoosiers to reclaim the title they last captured in 2012, a goal that has driven the team’s offseason preparations.
The 2025 season began with a flourish, as the Hoosiers opened with a 6‑0‑1 record in non‑conference play, hinting at a potential resurgence. However, once Big Ten competition began, the team stumbled, finishing 5‑5‑0 and ultimately missing the NCAA tournament, a result that left the coaching staff and fans searching for answers.
Head coach Todd Yeagley, entering his 17th year at the helm, continues the legacy of his father, the late Jerry Yeagley, after whom Bill Armstrong Stadium is named. Yeagley’s experience and deep ties to the program provide a stable foundation as the team looks to rebuild.
The roster will be without two key contributors from the previous year: forward Palmer Ault, who netted 16 goals in 2025, and goalkeeper Holden Brown, who transferred to St. Louis City SC and Indiana respectively. Their departures created gaps that the coaching staff is eager to fill.
A Talented Transfer Class
Adding to the mix is a top‑ranked transfer class, highlighted by Stephane Njike, a Paris‑born forward who earned First‑team All‑Big Ten honors at Maryland and was ranked No. 1 nationally among incoming transfers. Njike’s 2025 campaign saw him record seven goals and seven assists, placing him sixth in the conference and earning NEC Rookie of the Year honors in 2024.
Veterans Lead the Attack
Senior forward Collins Oduro, a Ghanaian who tallied 12 goals, 13 assists and 27 points last season, returns as a preseason watchlist candidate for the MAC Hermann Trophy. Alongside him, third‑year defender Josh Maher, a recent Big Ten All‑Freshman Team selection, anchors a defensive unit that aims to tighten up after a turbulent year.
A Grueling Schedule Ahead
The schedule presents a gauntlet of challenges. Non‑conference fixtures include matches against Denver, Kentucky, Notre Dame and Louisville, while Big Ten play will pit the Hoosiers against traditional powerhouses such as Washington, the preseason No. 1, and Maryland, the preseason No. 7.
Success will hinge on the ability of Njike and Oduro to translate their individual talents into team success, especially in the final weeks of the season when the Hoosiers hope to peak. If the offense clicks and the defense steadies under Maher’s leadership, Indiana could finally break the drought and secure its ninth national championship.