The Oregon Institute of Technology's men's soccer team gear up for their 2026 season opener against Simpson on Thursday, marking the first broadcast on the new Cascade Sports Network. The Owls lead the all-time series against the Redhawks 11-5-1 and will look to extend their unbeaten streak in season openers to eight matches. Simpson struggles with a record of 1-12-4 from last season, losing six matches by a single goal, while OIT aims to improve their 5-2-1 record in home openers. The Owls were picked seventh in the Cascade Conference preseason poll, ready to face stiff competition as they host top teams this season.

By the Numbers
  • OIT holds an 8-6-4 record in season openers since 2008.
  • Simpson's record last season was 1 win, 12 losses, and 4 draws.
Yes, But

While OIT has a successful history in season openers, the pressure is on to outperform after being ranked seventh in the preseason poll, indicating challenges against higher-ranked teams. Simpson may be coming off a rough season, but the game could present unexpected challenges nonetheless.

State of Play
  • OIT has a 44-12-8 home record since 2017 following the turf transition.
  • The Owls are currently on a 10-match unbeaten streak in August games.
What's Next

Following the opener against Simpson, OIT will head to Arizona for matches against Benedictine Mesa and Embry-Riddle on August 28 and 30, respectively, which will be critical for establishing momentum early in the season.

Bottom Line

With an opportunity to capitalize on home advantage and a strong history in season openers, the Owls need to deliver a solid performance against Simpson to build a competitive edge for the upcoming season.