HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – The University of Alabama in Huntsville men's soccer team is set to open the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 27, traveling to Springfield, Ill., to take on the Prairie Stars at 4 p.m., before returning to Charger Park on Sunday, Aug. 30, to host the Bears of Shawnee State at 3 p.m. for the home opener.

UAH enters the 2026 season looking to build on a successful 2025 campaign that saw the Chargers finish with a 9-4-4 overall record and advance to the Gulf South Conference Championship semifinals for the first time since 2019. The Chargers were selected fourth in the 2026 GSC Preseason Coaches Poll, while senior forward Oli Orzechowski and junior goalkeeper Sonny Wright were named to the Preseason All-GSC Team. Orzechowski led UAH with 10 goals and 21 points last season, while Wright posted an .806 save percentage, a 0.83 goals-against average and six shutouts.

Thursday's matchup will mark the fourth all-time meeting between UAH and Illinois Springfield, with the Chargers holding a 2-1 advantage in the series. The Chargers most recently faced Illinois Springfield on Sept. 4, 2025, when UAH opened the season with a 2-0 shutout victory at Charger Park.

Sunday's matchup against Shawnee State will mark the first meeting between the Chargers and Bears in program history. UAH will welcome Shawnee State to Charger Park for the 3 p.m. contest as the Chargers look to begin the 2026 home schedule with a victory.