PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The 2026 fall season opens the week for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville athletic teams. Men's and women's soccer opens the week at home on Tuesday, while football hosts Aurora on Saturday. Volleyball and women's golf hit the road later in the week, while cross country competes at the Alumni Open Saturday morning.
Men's Soccer home Tuesday, heads east over the weekend
The Pioneers men's soccer team begins the season at home on Tuesday afternoon with a matchup against Macalester at 3:30 p.m. The team then travels to face Carnegie Mellon on Friday and Mount Union on Sunday to conclude the opening week.
Macalester made a run to the Sweet Sixteen in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and finished the season with a 17-5-0 record. The Scots return several key contributors from last season's squad and enter the season ranked No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25.
Carnegie Mellon went 9-4-5 last season, with the highlight win being a 1-0 victory over fifth-ranked Brandeis. An experienced group of returners provide the Tartans with a strong lineup, including Idan Garten, who scored a team-high eight goals.
Mount Union is coming off a 13-3-4 record and was tabbed for third in the OAC preseason poll. The Raiders return the conference's Defender of the Year in Alex Depperschmidt along with All-OAC selections in Amir Spratt and Dom Kustura.
Women's Soccer plays home opener Tuesday before road trip
The Pioneers women's soccer team welcomes Saint Mary's (Minn.) on Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the first contest on the 2026 season. The team heads to Carnegie Mellon and Mount Union for games on Friday and Sunday, respectively, to wrap up the week.
Saint Mary's finished 10-6-3 in 2025 before losing in the quarterfinals of the MIAC Tournament. The Cardinal will be led by new head coach Averi Cash, who served as an assistant coach with the program for three seasons before earning the promotion.
Carnegie Mellon enters the season ranked #21 in the USC preseason top 25 following a second-round trip in the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Sixteen players that recorded at least one start return for the Tartans.
Mount Union was picked to finish fifth in the OAC preseason poll after going 7-6-4 in 2025. A trio of All-OAC selections return for the Raiders in Ella Dinwiddie, Rachel Chenos, and Sian Blake.
Volleyball competes at Kathryne Pals Legacy Invitational
The Pioneers volleyball team will play a trio of matches at the Kathryne Pals Legacy Invitational this weekend hosted by Northwestern (Minn.). UW-Platteville opens the season against Lawrence on Friday at 1 p.m. before playing Bethel (1 p.m.) and host school Northwestern (3 P.M.) on Saturday afternoon.
Lawrence had a strong 2025 campaign, going 23-11 overall and advancing to the MWC Tournament championship match. The Vikings, picked to finish second in the MWC preseason poll, return first team All-Conference selection Ally Corrente and second team Aria Wessel.
Bethel went 15-11 a year ago and competed in the MIAC semifinals before falling to St. Olaf. Peyton Howie, who paced the Royals with 3.58 kills per set last year, highlights the returners.
Northwestern was picked to repeat as UMAC Champions this season and enter receiving votes in the AVCA preseason Top 25. The Eagles went 23-8 a year ago and rolled to a 12-0 record in conference play before getting eliminated in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Among the returners are All-American setter Addeson Jenniges.
Football kicks off season against Aurora
The Pioneers football team will recognize the senior class prior to Saturday's season opener against Aurora at 1 p.m.
The Spartans coming off an 8-3 season in 2025, were recently picked to the win the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference (NACC). UW-Platteville and Aurora battled in the season opener last fall, with the Pioneers rolling to a 41-0 victory. Spartans defensive lineman JP Chaney enters the season as a preseason All-American according to D3football.com.
Cross Country hosts Alumni Open
The Pioneers cross country teams host the annual Alumni Open inside UW-Platteville's Memorial Park this Saturday morning. The men will run first at 9:30 a.m. with the women to follow at 10:05 a.m.
Women's Golf travels to River Falls
The Pioneers women's golf team begins the 2026 fall season this Saturday and Sunday when they travel to River Falls for the Falcon Invitational. Competition takes place at the River Falls Golf Club.
