New Butler men's soccer head coach Ian Sarachan and his staff have assembled an exciting roster and challenging schedule for their first competitive season leading the program. The 2026 regular-season schedule shows seven non-conference matches that include Indiana, Memphis, and Dayton, followed by seven clashes versus BIG EAST opponents.

Having already participated in spring workouts and contests as well as several fall exhibition contests, including one at Notre Dame, the Bulldogs will open the regular season at home versus Northern Illinois on Thursday, August 20. Additional non-conference home matches include Bradley (Aug. 23), Memphis (Aug. 31), and Lindenwood (Sept. 4). Butler will remain in the Midwest to face Indiana, Western Michigan, and Dayton on the road.

The BIG EAST season kicks off September 18, when the Dawgs travel to Akron; Butler will also face Providence, Marquette, and Creighton in away matches. The first conference contest at home will be October 2 when Seton Hall visits the Butler campus. The Bulldogs will also host Villanova (Oct. 16), DePaul (Oct. 31), and Xavier (Nov. 6).

Forwards 

Returning veterans who will lead the offensive attack for the Bulldogs are redshirt-sophomores Brendan Cunningham and Kai Pope as well as sophomore Adam Watson. Freshmen Hayden Neale and Finn Moran will also spend considerable time at the top of the formation.

Midfielders 

Redshirt-sophomore Luca Raso along with sophomores Nacho de Miguel and Charlie Hosier return to the Butler midfield. Transfers expected to connect the defense to the offense are juniors Haato Efune (Monroe CC) and Jaden Hancock (Xavier, El Camino), as well as sophomore Braden Benyr (Saint Louis). In addition, freshman Alec Sexton will be called upon to contribute in the center of the pitch.

Defenders 

A large corps of veterans returns as defenders this season, including graduate student Manolo Ferreres, redshirt-senior Lou-Kent Bosc, redshirt-junior Nikolas Juarez, redshirt-sophomore Trent Lindsey, sophomores Oscar Dawber, Kiel Higginson, and Max Klein, and redshirt-freshman Evan Muckridge. Also expected to bolster the back line are a pair of transfers, redshirt-freshmen Anden Ellis (SMU) and Hudson Sullivan (Cal Baptist), along with freshman Chace Crismale.

Goalkeepers 

Redshirt-juniors Brooks Boersma and Jameson Metz, along with redshirt-freshman Inigo Esmanech, have all previously trained in the Bulldogs' program, but none have seen competitive minutes in any regular-season matches. The trio will compete for playing time between the pipes this season.