No. 10 Men's Soccer Begins 2026 Journey

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — After reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament in three of the last four years, including a run to the national championship game in 2022, the 10th-ranked Williams College men's soccer team looks to continue the positive momentum going into the 2026 season.

The Ephs' journey begins with a noon matchup against Bates on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Cole Field.

"There is no better place to play college soccer than Cole Field," said sixth-year head coach Steffen Siebert. "We have a fantastic slate of home games on the schedule this year, and our student-athletes feed off the energy and support of our visiting alumni and campus community. We cannot wait to see everyone down at Cole."

Williams hosts Amherst on Saturday, Sept. 26, at noon, and then travels to Little Three-rival Wesleyan for a 3 p.m. showdown on Saturday, Oct. 17, in Middletown, Connecticut.

The unit hosts defending NCAA and NESCAC champion, and No. 1-ranked Tufts on Saturday, Oct. 24, with kickoff set for 1:30 p.m. in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The Ephs defeated the then-15th-ranked Jumbos, 3-1, on Sept. 6, 2025, in Medford, Massachusetts, marking Williams' first overall win over Tufts since Oct. 19, 2013, and first victory at Tufts since Oct. 23, 2010.

"We are excited to be able to compete in the NESCAC again, as it is widely recognized as one of the best and most competitive conferences in the country," said Siebert. "There are no easy days and every single match feels like a postseason battle. We embraced that standard by adding some great non-conference opponents to finish out our schedule and put together one of the toughest schedules in the fall."

Last season, the Ephs finished 10-5-4 overall and 5-3-2 in the NESCAC, while defeating three ranked opponents. Williams defeated then-No. 13-ranked Bates, 1-0, on Oct. 4 in Lewiston, Maine, behind then-first-year JJ Ruehlemann's game-winning goal during the 72nd minute. The squad posted a comeback victory over then-17th-ranked and host Scranton, 2-1, in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Nov. 16, as then-sophomore Alex Bethencourt buried the game-winner.

"I am excited to be up and running with the guys again," said senior Kellan Grace. "We have a solid group of returners and some exciting first years ready to make their mark. We have all the tools necessary to improve upon the success we have been able to compile in recent years."

During the 2025 season, Ruehlemann was recognized as NESCAC Rookie of the Year, while then-sophomore Chase Caires took home All-Conference and United Soccer Coaches All-Region I Second Team laurels. Then-sophomore Griffin Labonski was recognized on the All-NESCAC Second Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Region I Third Team in 2024, as the Ephs made a run to the Sweet 16 that season.

"We are in a great position with our roster right now," said Siebert. "We return a significant amount of talent and proven leadership, which gives us a strong foundation. At the same time, our incoming group is talented and brings a lot of fresh energy to the program."

The Ephs have a history of success, as the 1995 team won the NCAA title, to go along with national runner-up efforts by the 1993 and 2022 units. The 2026 group will compete in a total of 15 regular-season games, 10 NESCAC contests and 10 home events. Senior day will take place against Keene State on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. on Cole Field.

The top-eight teams qualify for the 2026 NESCAC Tournament, with the higher seeds hosting quarterfinal-round action on Oct. 31. The highest remaining seed will host the semifinal and final rounds on Nov. 7-8.

"It is great to be back with everyone," said Labonski. "The guys are meshing well and the buy-in is special. We have put in the work this preseason and we can feel that everyone has bought into the standard we are trying to set. We are excited to see it translate once the season starts."