GREENVILLE, Pa. (Aug. 29) -- The Thiel College Men's Soccer team enters the 2026 season with high expectations and the goal of advancing to the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) CHmapionship Tournament under the leadership of veteran manager Zack Walters.
With 23 returning players and 14 upperclassmen, the Tomcats feature a seasoned crop of veteran players eager and determined to make a dent in the upper tier of the conference.
Thiel returners a pair of All-PAC standouts in Mitchell Strauss (Bradford, Pa./Bradford Area) and Grant Becker (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted). Strauss is a back-to-back All-league selection who enters the year fourth in program history in assists (11) and 10th in points (25). Becker was a first-time All-Conference pick a year ago and will serve as the maestro, per se, of the Thiel attack.
Also vital for Thiel will be sophomore Bryce Bobich (Plum, Pa./Plum). He appeared in all 14 games last season on defense and, along with Becker and Strauss, were named Players to Watch by the PAC for the 2026 campaign.
Other seniors include Bryce Stefanowicz (Greenville, Pa./Greenville), Zack Loeser (Long Island, N.Y./Rocky Point), Ryan Fisher (Munhall, Pa./Steel Valley), Ashton Redmond (Leechburg, Pa./Leechburg), Logan Smith (Girard, Pa./Girard), Davis Carson (Chesterland, Ohio/West Geauga), Logan Gordon (Hermitage, Pa./Hickory), Derek Thomas (Poland, Ohio/Poland) and Kyle Benson (Roaming Shores, Ohio/Grand Valley).
Pivotal games and dates of significance on the 2026 schedule can be found below. The full schedule can be found here or by clicking the blue box above.
Key Dates
Sept. 1: Season opener at Pitt Bradford
Sept. 5: Home opener versus Pitt Greensburg
Sept. 12: Senior Night against Hilbert
Sept. 15: PAC opener at Westminster
Sept. 22: PAC home opener against Grove City
Oct. 14 and 17: Two-game homestand against Geneva and Waynesburg
Oct. 24: Road match at Saint Francis, the newest league member
Oct. 28: Regular season finale versus Saint Vincent
Oct. 31 - Nov. 7: PAC Championship Tournament
Roster
The 2026 roster can be found here or by clicking the blue box above.
Looking Ahead
The Tomcats open the 2026 campaign Tuesday, Sept. 1 in a 5 p.m. road tilt at Pitt Bradford before returning home to take on Pitt Greensburg Saturday at 11 a.m.
