DePaul University Athletics
DePaul University
No. 4 Saint Louis
DePaul Opens 2026 Preseason Saturday at Wish Field Against No. 4 Saint Louis
8/7/2026 3:21:00 PM | MEN'S SOCCER
Blue Demons and Billikens kickoff at 3pm in Lincoln Park
CHICAGO – DePaul men's soccer will begin its 2026 preseason schedule on Saturday, Aug. 8 with an exhibition match against fourth-ranked Saint Louis. Kickoff from Wish Field is set for 3 p.m. CT. Admission is free for all fans, though there will be no live coverage for the preseason tune-up.
The Blue Demons bring back 16 returners from last season's squad while welcoming 12 newcomers into the fold, including five transfers and seven true freshmen. Head Coach Mark Plotkin, in his ninth season leading his alma mater, will look to seniors Noeh Hernandez, Keagan Pace, and Liam Mullins to lead the offensive attack with the trio combining for 80 career points. Graduate student Ethan Gordon returns for his final season of collegiate soccer to anchor the DePaul back line. Gordon has logged nearly 3,800 minutes in his career, starting in all 43 of his appearances. There is set to be a new netminder between the pipes for the Blue Demons following the graduation of goalkeepers Santiago Davila and Clayton Brooks, leaving junior Hayden Vostal, grad transfer Chance Johnson (SMU), and freshman Connor Vela (Belton, Texas) to battle it out for the starting job.
Last season, Saint Louis reached the College Cup Semifinals after compiling a 13-3-8 overall record, including an unbeaten 5-0-3 mark in Atlantic 10 action. Kevin Kalish, in his ninth season leading the Billikens, welcomed back 20 letterwinners and added nine newcomers to the 2026 squad.
Prior to opening the regular season, the Blue Demons will play two more exhibitions, including a tilt with Indian Hills Community College Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Wish Field before a road trip to Madison, Wis., to take on Wisconsin in the preseason finale Aug. 15.
Plotkin and Co. will begin the 2026 season on the road Aug. 20 with a trip downstate to face off against Bradley.Â
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