With a shakedown home match under their belt, Ottawa University men's soccer looks to continue its momentum as the KCAC schedule begins Wednesday. The Braves are set to host University of Saint Mary in a 3:30 p.m. kickoff from the Dick Peters Sports Complex.

The Matchup

Ottawa has controlled the series against University of Saint Mary, with 18 wins and three draws over the course of 32 matches all-time against the Spires. The Braves are currently on a three-match unbeaten streak, with last season's 4-4 draw a stark contrast to the first two matches in the string, a 10-0 win in 2023 and a 2-0 win in 2024. The Black-and-Gold have not suffered (verified - records for 2002 are incomplete) back-to-back defeats in the meeting since 1999.

Last Time Out

Ottawa was able to outrun both Mother Nature and Midland University on Saturday, picking up a 3-0 win over the Warriors. Cale Scott recorded his third game-winning goal of the season in the 12th minute, finishing a great pass from Simon Kindt. Mateo Trigo doubled the Braves lead before halftime and after a short weather stint delayed the second-half kickoff, Slobodan Novicevic added an insurance goal in the 73rd.

Alex Neri was again solid in goal, recording a pair of saves in his second shutout of the season, also turning away a dangerous Midland free kick with an emphatic punched clearance in the 65th minute.

About University of Saint Mary

The Spires come into Wednesday's contest in search of their first win of the season, in just their second road match following the cancellation of a mid-week non-conference game. After starting the season with consecutive losses, USM has rebounded with a pair of draws, 1-1 against Doane and 2-2 against Northwestern (Iowa) College.

As with their women's team, the Spires have lost much of their offensive punch from 2025, with Robin van Voorst (12 g, 2 a), Daniel Castro (6 g, 5 a) and Isha Hughan (7 g, 4 a) no longer with the team. Luis Rincon (2 g), Matias Allou (1 g) and Aaron Jackson (1 g) are among the returners trying to fill the 25-plus goal gap, but going is tough on the year.

In goal, junior Xavier Ezell has been the mainstay for USM, recording all 360 minutes on the season, with a goals-against average of 2.00 and a save percentage of 0.636.

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)
Week 3 - Cale Scott (Offensive)

Send It Like Scott

Through the early part of the season, Ottawa has found solid offensive production throughout the front line, averaging better than two goals per game. And although much of the production has been through the run of play, Cale Scott has proven to be exceptionally dangerous on the free kick.

Twice this season, the redshirt freshman has drawn game-winning blood from free kicks in dangerous positions. Against then no. 3 MidAmerica Nazarene, Ottawa earned a free kick 20 yards from goal on the left corner of the 18-yard box. Scott delivered an inch-perfect curling ball inside the far post and out of the reach of MNU's goalkeeper.

Then against (RV) Baker, the Black-and-Gold earned a free kick on the right side of the 18-yard box, just inside 25 yards out. Scott was again inch-perfect, this time dialing top corner up and around a five-man wall for the Wildcats.

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."