A Fresh Start in Manhattan
Kansas State University’s men’s soccer program announced its 2026 home schedule, opening with two high‑profile contests on consecutive days in August. The first match, scheduled for Thursday, August 20, will pit the Wildcats against Missouri State, while the following Sunday, August 23, brings a showdown with South Dakota State. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+, and the first 500 fans in attendance on Thursday will receive complimentary thunder sticks, adding a festive atmosphere to the kickoff.
The team entered the season with a bang, securing two wins in its opening weekend. A 4‑0 victory over Seattle was followed by a 3‑1 triumph over Hawaii, marking the third time in program history that K‑State has opened with back‑to‑back wins. Freshmen Lauren Moylan and Kennedy Miller found the net on their debuts, and midfielder McKinnan Braswell contributed the game‑winning goal against Seattle, underscoring the depth of talent on the roster.
Veteran leaders continue to drive the squad’s success. Allison Marshall, already the program’s all‑time leader in goals and points, extended her streak of game‑winning scores, while Anna Pagano recorded her first career game‑winner against Hawaii. Defender Reece Walrod anchored the back line, logging 90 minutes in each contest and earning TopDrawerSoccer National Team of the Week honors after the opening weekend.
Despite a historically modest home record — 4‑6‑0 over the last nine home openers and a cumulative goal differential of –2 — the Wildcats have shown marked improvement in defensive organization and offensive strategy. In 2025 the team set a school record for home wins, finishing 4‑3‑1 and posting a .563 winning percentage at home, a promising foundation for the new campaign.
Looking Forward
Missouri State arrives after a 7‑0 loss to Kansas in its season opener and will be looking to rebound against a K‑State side that has excelled in set‑piece situations, boasting a 9‑0 corner‑kick advantage in its previous meeting with Hawaii and a season‑long 13‑6 edge. South Dakota State, the defending Summit League champions and 2025 NCAA Division I tournament participant, enters as a formidable opponent with a strong attacking pedigree. As the Wildcats prepare for conference play, the early wins provide a confidence boost and a platform to build on the defensive progress that has characterized recent training sessions.