North Dakota State’s men’s soccer team will open its 2026 season with a preseason exhibition against the University of Wisconsin on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the McClimon Soccer Complex in Madison. The match marks the first public test of a Bison squad that returns ten seniors and four juniors from the 2024 Summit League championship side.
Veteran Leadership and Fresh Faces
The roster features returning award‑winning players such as Morgan Russmann, who earned 2024 Summit League Offensive Player of the Year honors, and Payton Mulberry, the league’s 2024 Goalkeeper of the Year. In total, ten seniors and four juniors return, while 13 freshmen will join the program for the upcoming campaign.
Wisconsin arrives with momentum from a strong finish to last season, having advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and reached the Big Ten Championship semifinals. The Badgers’ recent progress adds a competitive edge to the exhibition.
A Busy Home Schedule Looms
The preseason game is the only warm‑up before the regular season begins on August 13, when the Bison host Green Bay in the first of six straight home matches. The early slate sets the tone for a campaign that will see the team travel to non‑conference opponents before conference play.