ST. PAUL, Minn. – The University of Northwestern Men's Soccer team enters the 2026 season as one of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference's top three projected teams, earning 24 points to land third in the league's preseason coaches poll. 

The full UMAC conference preview can be accessed here.

Northwestern heads into the season with Greg Wheaton entering his 27th year at the helm of the Eagles' program. The team posted a 7-8-2 overall record in 2025 while finishing third in the UMAC standings with a 5-5-2 conference mark.

Senior defender Troy Johnson (Killeen, Texas/Killeen) highlights the Eagles' returning core after earning Second-Team All-UMAC honors last season. Johnson has contributed one goal and two assists throughout his Northwestern career and will provide experience to the Eagles' defensive unit. Junior forward Joe Nyagaka (Bloomington, Minn./Jefferson) also returns to the Northwestern attack for his third season. Nyagaka has recorded one goal and two assists in his career and will look to take on a bigger offensive role for the Eagles.

Men's Soccer will begin its season at 4:00 PM on Tuesday, September 1, at Bethel University.