After extending its undefeated stretch in KCAC openers to six (5-0-1) with a 2-0 win over University of Saint Mary, Ottawa hits the road for a three-match KCAC swing on Saturday. Kickoff against Bethel is scheduled for 1 p.m. following the women's match.

The Matchup

Saturday is the 49th meeting between the Braves and the Threshers, with Ottawa holding a 25-20-3 edge in the series. Recent momentum has definitely favored the Braves, as OU has only lost twice (2019, 2021) and drawn once (2013) in the previous 19 matches, keeping 10 clean sheets over the stretch. Last year's meeting between the teams saw a blowout for the Black-and-Gold, as Antonio Natalucci collected a hat trick and Jevan Purcell-Jackson was joined by Alonso Basauri with two goals in a 10-2 win.

Last Time Out

After handling an overly patient University of Saint Mary attack in the first half of Wednesday's league opener, Ottawa stamped out a pair of nearly identical second half tallies within the space of five minutes to run out 2-0 winners.

Simon Kindt put Ottawa up 1-0 in the 58th minute, collecting a cross from Juan Lopez-Arteaga and finishing near post, with Matias Mazieres finding Cale Scott  in the 62nd for another near post blast. The Black-and-Gold dominated the shot line, finishing with a 10-1 edge in shots on goal.

About Bethel

Bethel is still searching for its first win of the season coming into Saturday's contest, with an 0-3-2 (0-1 KCAC) record on the year. Connell Silmon (3 g), Branden Balvanz (2 g, 2 a) and Erwin Navarro (2 g) lead the Thresher offense, which is already two-thirds of the way to their output for the entirety of the 2025 campaign. The Threshers posted a 4-11-3 (2-8-3 KCAC) record in 2025.

Diego Medina has started all five matches in goal for Bethel, collecting a 3.80 goals-against average and a save percentage of 0.548 across 450:00 on the year.

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. Back-to-back wins returned Ottawa to the no. 16 spot this week, 

2026 STADIONIC NAIA Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll
Preseason - No. 16
Week 1 - No. 18-tie
Week 2 - No. 16
 

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."