DePaul men's soccer will kick off its 2026 preseason on August 8 with an exhibition match against No. 4 ranked Saint Louis at Wish Field, starting at 3 p.m. CT. The Blue Demons return 16 players from last season, adding 12 newcomers, including five transfers. Head Coach Mark Plotkin aims to leverage veteran leadership from seniors Noeh Hernandez, Keagan Pace, and Liam Mullins, who together have amassed 80 career points. Graduate student Ethan Gordon is set to anchor the defense, while the team seeks to fill the goalkeeping position following the graduation of last season's keepers. DePaul has two additional exhibition matches scheduled before the regular season begins on August 20 against Bradley.

By the Numbers
  • 16 returning players from last season.
  • 12 newcomers, including 5 transfers and 7 true freshmen.
State of Play
  • DePaul will face the high-ranked Saint Louis team that reached the College Cup Semifinals last season.
  • The Blue Demons are preparing for their regular season debut while competing for key positions, including goalkeeper.
What's Next

After facing Saint Louis, DePaul will play additional exhibitions against Indian Hills Community College on August 12 and Wisconsin on August 15, aiming to solidify their roster before the season opener on August 20.

Bottom Line

DePaul's 2026 preseason presents a critical opportunity for the team to solidify its lineup and build chemistry with a mix of experienced players and fresh talent ahead of a challenging season opener.