With a 2-0 start in KCAC play in the books, no. 16 Ottawa continues its three-match road swing with perhaps the biggest opportunity of the year on Wednesday, taking on no. 1 Oklahoma Wesleyan. Kickoff for the match is set for 7 p.m. following the women's contest at 5.

The Matchup

This is the 30th meeting all time between the schools and unfortunately for the Black-and-Gold, success has been fleeting. Aside from draws in 2025 and 2022, you have to go back to the early 2000s for the last Ottawa win in the series (Sept. 15, 2003 - 3-2 home) and further still (Oct. 25, 1983 - 3-1 home; Sept. 22, 1984 - 3-1 away) for the last consecutive wins for the Braves.

That being said, last year's regular season meeting between the teams finished in a 1-1 draw that cemented the trajectory of the season for Ottawa, sparking a seven-match winning streak and helping the Braves go undefeated in conference play.

Last Time Out

Despite surrendering a goal against the run of play early in the second half, Ottawa was dominant from whistle to whistle in a 3-1 win at Bethel. Cale Scott notched a pair of goals, bookending a 32nd-minute strike by Slobodan Novicevic as the Braves rolled over the Threshers.

The lone goal for Bethel in the match came on a desperate counter in the 48th minute, but Ottawa shrugged off the threat to move to 2-0 in conference play on the year.

About Oklahoma Wesleyan

After beginning the season as the consensus no. 1 in the KCAC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll and ranking no. 9 in the NAIA Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, the Eagles jumped immediately to the top spot in the national poll behind a 4-0-1 (2-0 KCAC) start to the season.

Oklahoma Wesleyan has a potent offense, with four players recording three or more goals on the season. Nasreddine Benbella leads OKWU with four goals and an assist on the year, with Ryunsokue Masuzuka right behind with three goals and two assists.

Defensively, Marko Rodic has played all 450:00 in goal for the Eagles, posting a goals-against average of 0.800 on the season with a save percentage of .733.

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. The Braves were joined in the no. 18 spot by free-falling LSU-Shreveport, which dropped 6 spots despite a 2-1 record then followed it up with a 4-4 draw against Oklahoma Wesleyan. 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)
 

KCAC Players of the Week

After seeing honors on the defensive side in the first week of action, Ottawa picked up a historic first last week as Cale Scott was named KCAC Men's Soccer Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week. This is the first time for a Braves player to earn this honor in the past decade, and although our historical records are incomplete it is believed to be the first time in program history. Through seven games on the year, the Lawrence, Kan., product has scored seven goals (three gamewinners) which is better than half his career-high of 13 goals as a sophomore.

2026 KCAC Players of the Week
Week 1 - Alex Neri (Defensive)
Week 3 - Cale Scott (Offensive)
Week 4 - 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."