Navy Men’s Soccer Launches 2026 Season with California Opener
The Navy Men's Soccer team opened its 2026 campaign with a pair of matches in San Diego, marking the first time the squad has traveled to California for season‑opening games since 2006. Under new head coach John Hackworth, who brings three decades of experience from Major League Soccer and the U.S. Men’s National Team, the Midshipmen are looking to translate preseason optimism into results on the field. The roster features a blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent, with senior captain Nate Stewart anchoring the defense alongside returning midfielders Duncan Sullivan and Nick Gallucci, while forwards Gavin McBride and Liam Plum aim to add depth in attack. The team will miss the contributions of four departed starters, including leading scorer Andrew Schug and goalkeeper Robert Eaton, but the coaching staff believes the remaining players are ready to step up. Four current Midshipmen hail from California — Ben Leisegang, Will Boyd, Sam Clark and Yul Hong — giving the squad a familiar connection to the West Coast environment they will encounter in their upcoming fixtures. In addition to the California opponents, Navy will later face George Washington on August 28 at 7:05 p.m., a match that will test the team’s early‑season chemistry. The Midshipmen finished ninth in the Patriot League preseason poll, a respectable position that reflects both the program’s tradition and the challenges ahead. With a historic 70‑20‑15 record in season openers over 105 years, the team hopes to extend its winning streak as it begins the new campaign.
