2026 Holy Cross men’s soccer season preview

The Holy Cross men’s soccer team enters the 2026 season with great aspirations.

The Crusaders went 4-8-6 overall last year, but seven of their eight losses came by just one goal.

Holy Cross returns 21 players off of that squad, while welcoming seven freshmen to the program.

HATCHER SET TO LEAD OFFENSE

Sophomore forward Archie Hatcher looks to be the top offensive threat for Holy Cross this fall, after being named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year and earning second team All-Patriot League honors last season. 

He played in 16 games last year, leading the team with 15 points on six goals and three assists. 

Hatcher finished the year ranked third in the Patriot League in total points and fourth in goals scored.

POTENT ATTACK

In addition to Hatcher, the Crusaders bring back a number of other experienced players on the offensive end of the field.

Holy Cross returns 11 of the top 14 scorers off its 2025 squad.

Leading that group are sophomore midfielder Jack Fielder (two goals, two assists) and sophomore forward Laim Heneghan (two goals, one assist).

A STOUT DEFENSE

The defensive end should also be a strength for the Crusaders, with several key players back in the fold.

That group includes sophomore Luke Myers, senior Kyle Martell and senior Jeb Snead, who all started at least 11 games last year.

In addition, Holy Cross brings back all three goalkeepers who saw action last season, in senior Mateo Buyu, junior Alastair Hafner Schnee and sophomore John W. Smith Jr.

That trio combined for a 1.28 goals against average and a .705 save percentage in 2025.

A LOOK AT THE COMPETITION

Holy Cross is set to play 18 regular season games this year, including nine non-conference opponents and all nine Patriot League foes. 

The schedule begins with a home game against Northeastern on Aug. 20, and includes a trip to 2024 NCAA Champion Vermont on Sept. 1.

Patriot League play opens on Sept. 12 against Navy, while the regular season will wrap up against Boston University on Nov. 3. 

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
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