Soccer Season is Back at OWU!

The yelling and screaming have officially returned to Roy Rike Field at Jay Martin Soccer Complex at Ohio Wesleyan University as both the men’s and women’s soccer teams have begun their 2026 campaigns. Players, administrators and students say there is some excitement around the Bishops this season. 

Doug Zipp, Ohio Wesleyan University athletic director, said he is hopeful for this season as the program heads into its second year with Matt Weiss as head coach. 

“We are young with eight freshmen, 10 sophomores, six juniors and eight seniors,” Zipp said. “We are still figuring out who we are as a team, but I see this season as the biggest jump into figuring out who we are and who we are going to be as a program.”

With Weiss heading into his second year as head coach, the leadership and team morale have changed, Martin’s influence remains within the program. Martin continues to assist Weiss off the field while returning players carry on elements of the culture once established during Martin’s time as head coach. 

“Jay is either in Matt’s office or Matt is in Jay’s office just talking soccer almost every day, trying to get tips,” Zipp said.

After a tough loss to Case Western Reserve in the season opener, the Bishops are still looking to hoist the NCAC trophy later this season. The Bishops entered this season motivated by the disappointing outcome of last year’s finish, sophomore forward Sam Robledo said. 

“I would say we are very hungry as a team,” Robledo said. “We obviously felt the tragedy of last season very heavily and are using it to fuel us going into this season.”

Robledo also discussed the team’s leadership and culture entering this season.

“Matt has done a good job of preserving the culture that Jay created, and the upperclassmen have been good role models as to what it should look like through leading by example,” Robledo said.

 Students play a role in creating the atmosphere at Roy Rike Field. Sean Connelly, a senior OWU student, said how excited he is for this season.

“I love going to support not only my fellow classmates but my fraternity brothers as well,” Connelly said. “It is something I looked forward to all summer.”

Connelly said his support continued even while studying abroad last fall.

“I remember sitting in Italy and watching those games on my phone or computer and still enjoying watching those games from the other side of the world,” Connelly said.

The men currently sit at 1-1 on the season and face Ohio Northern on Sept. 16 before returning to Roy Rike Field on Sept. 19 for their Luke’s game versus Penn State Behrend.