After a daunting four-match road slate to open the season, Ottawa University men's soccer opens the 2026 home season on Saturday against Midland University. Kickoff for the match is set for 3:30 p.m. at Dick Peters Sports Complex, following the women's home opener against Mission University.

The Matchup

Ottawa has found Midland a difficult opponent, posting just a 1-6-1 record in eight meetings between the teams. The Braves have been on the wrong side of the scoresheet for much of the series, mustering just a single goal in a 1-0 win in 2004 while allowing 22. The last meeting between these teams came in 2025, with the Braves holding Midland to a 0-0 draw.

Last Time Out

Although Baker had fallen out of the top 25, the Wildcats still gave Ottawa a big challenge, twice taking a one-goal lead on the evening. Mateo Trigo scored the first equalizer for the Black-and-Gold and assisted on the second, before a handball whistled against Baker set Cole Scott up for a free kick 20 yards from goal that would prove to be the gamewinner. Leo Moutret preserved the Ottawa lead in the 84th minute with an emphatic goal-line clearance with Alex Neri collecting three giant stops in the 85th, 86th and 90th minutes to keep Ottawa in front.

About Midland

Midland had an outstanding season in 2025, although they fell just short in the GPAC tournament, falling 3-2 in the first round. The Warriors posted a 13-4-2 record on the year, with a 7-2-1 mark in conference play. Offensively, Midland averaged nearly three goals per match, but the bulk of those goals came from one player - now-graduated Hugo Duran scored 18 of the 53 goals for Midland on the year.

The Warriors have gotten off to a slow start this year, mustering just a 0-2-1 record, scoring only a pair of goals in a 5-2 loss at York University. Juan Villadiego has both of the goals for Midland on the year, with Jaime Jerez adding the lone assist. Defensively, Tomas Reyes and Santiago Rodriguez have split time in goal for Midland, collectively managing just a .550 save percentage.

In The Polls

Following an outstanding finish to the 2025 season, Ottawa debuted at no. 16 in the NAIA Men's Soccer Preseason Top 25 for 2026. The Braves were one of two KCAC squads in the top 25, joining no. 9-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan. Despite a 1-0 upset over no. 3 MidAmerica Nazarene, Ottawa slid two spots in the first regular-season edition of the poll, landing tied for 18th. Joining the Braves in the no. 18 spot is free-falling LSU-Shreveport, which dropped 6 spots despite a 2-1 record.

2026 STADIONIC NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll
Preseason - No. 16
Week 1 - No. 18-tie
 

NAIA Defensive Player of the Week

For the first time since 2022, Ottawa saw a familiar name among the cascade of Tuesday emails from the national office, as Alex Neri was recognized as the NAIA Defensive Player of the Week for week 1. Neri was rock solid for the Black and Gold in Ottawa's 1-0 upset over no. 3 MidAmerica Nazarene, securing five saves including a game-changer in the 89th minute.

2026 NAIA Players of the Week
Week 1 - Alex Neri (Defensive)

2026 KCAC Players of the Week
Week 1 - Alex Neri (Defensive)

Welcome (Back) Home

After playing the past several seasons at AdventHealth Field, Ottawa returns to the Dick Peters Sports Complex for the 2026 season.

"We are excited to be returning home to Dick Peters Sports Complex," said head coach James Cottage. "Playing on a soccer specific field, a field that is longer and wider, it will really match what we're trying to achieve. We want to play with fast wingers that can get into one on one opportunities, but this field will help defenders as well."

In addition to the benefits for the team, the fan experience is also expected to be improved with the move to Peters.

"With the move, fans can be closer to the field and really get up close and be that extra bit of support for our team," added Cottage. "I want to make it feel like a home, a place where teams look at it and go 'Oh, we've got to go to Ottawa. We have to play on that big field and it's going to be a mess.' That's what we're looking for."