(WIAC) – The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced its preview and predictions for the 2026 men’s soccer season. The predictions were voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the two-time defending champion, is predicted to claim the regular-season title. The Blugolds shared last year’s championship with UW-Whitewater. UW-Eau Claire has also won consecutive WIAC tournament titles and enters the 2026 campaign ranked No. 22 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Preseason Poll.
UW-Eau Claire is followed in the WIAC predictions by: UW-Whitewater; UW-Platteville; UW-Stevens Point; UW-River Falls; and UW-Stout Polytechnic.
WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Sept. 1, while the conference slate will commence on Oct. 2. All six teams will qualify for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s). The event will be held Nov. 4, Nov. 6 and Nov. 8, with all matches hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
2026 Preseason Predictions–Voted on by WIAC Head Coaches and Sports Information Directors
2025 Record
- UW-Eau Claire (13-3-4 overall, 4-0-1 WIAC/13 pts.)
- UW-Whitewater (14-3-3, 4-0-1/13 pts.)
- UW-Platteville (8-6-5, 1-2-2/5 pts.)
- UW-Stevens Point (13-4-4, 2-2-1/7 pts.)
- UW-River Falls (3-10-4, 0-3-2/2 pts.)
- UW-Stout Polytechnic (1-15-4, 0-4-1/1 pt.)
Team Capsules
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Casey Holm, 5th season at UWEC; 77-16-12
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 21/8
Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3
Returning All-WIAC: Alek LaRoi, Sr., D (2024-Honorable, 2025-Honorable); Noah Malcook, Sr., F (2024-First, 2025-First); Tate McDermott, Jr., M (2024-First, 2025-First); Andrew Phillips, Sr., M (2025-Honorable); Ramzi Ouro, Sr., D (2025-First); Sean Redmond, Sr., M (2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Aiden Judickas, So., M; Carmelo Kasim, Sr., D; Charlie Mroz, Jr., GK; Elijah Post, Sr., M
UW-Platteville
Head Coach: Jesse Tinney, 4th season at UWP; 36-11-15
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 26/10
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/7
Returning All-WIAC: Westley Hankes, Jr., D (2025-Honorable); Roberto Salinas, So., M (2025-Co-Newcomer of the Year)
Notable Returning Players: Chase Dwinal, Jr., D; Brady Harwood, Sr., M; Justin Williams, Sr., M; Caden Wits, So., M/F
UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Evan Sassano, 6th season (3rd season at UWRF); 20-51-7 (overall) / 11-21-4 (at UWRF)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/22
Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5
Returning All-WIAC: Gabriel Abad Lobo, Jr., D (2025-Honorable); Carter Eklund, Jr., M (2025-First); Mateo Gonzalez, So., M (2025-First); Sorel Richardson, Sr., M (2024-First, 2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Mauricio Cuevas, Jr., D; Ben Harris, Jr., F; Noah Meschke, Jr., M
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Jordan Kayser, 3rd season at UWSP; 21-12-8
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 27/14
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Returning All-WIAC: Jaxon Buckley, So., F (2025-First/Co-Newcomer of the Year); Jacob Havlik, Jr., GK (2025-Honorable); Charlie McGinnis, Jr., D (2025-First); Riley Nycz, So., M (2024-Honorable); Connor Urban, Jr., D (2024-First, 2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Marcelo Chavez, Jr., M; Tyler Hagen, So., M; Noah Johnson, Sr., M; Carter Smith, Jr., D
UW-Stout Polytechnic
Head Coach: Cole Schwartz; 2nd season at UWST; 1-15-4
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 19/12
Starters Returning/Lost: 11/0
Returning All-WIAC: Kevin Lowery, So., D (2025-Honorable); Eddie Puglisi, Jr., GK (2025-First); Marwan Kaddah, So., M (2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Landen Arnstad, So., M; Max Meeh, Jr., M; Roberto Perez, Jr., M; Patrick Zich, So., F
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach: Tony Guinn, 14th season at UWW; 167-65-34
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 23/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Returning All-WIAC: Mason Diercks, Sr., M (2025-First); James Kiraly, Jr., F (2024-First); Aidian Martin, Sr., M (2024-First); Hayden Saul, Sr., D (2024-First, 2025-First); Austin Waite, So., GK (2025-First/Goalkeeper of the Year)
Notable Returning Players: Tyler Chrisman, So., M; Aidan Glancey, Sr., F; Adam Kaup, Sr., D; Mitchell Tackney, So., M
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