Bulldog soccer team young, eager
YALE — The Yale boys soccer team has begun its season and is eager to find out how they stack up against an always tough Blue Water Area Conference and with non-conference opponents as well.
“We have a very young team this fall but we have a lot of guys eager to compete and improve this season,” said Coach Pat Egan. “As we gain experience this season, we are looking to compete again with the top teams in the BWAC. This year will pose even more of a challenge than seasons past with the addition of Lutheran North to the BWAC.”
With the quality of teams in the BWAC, along with the non-league schedule, “there will be no nights off for us,” according to the Yale coach. “We will rely on our team chemistry, preparation, and our ability to outwork other teams to earn results,” he predicted.
Last season, the Bulldogs finished second in the BWAC, the highest finish for a Yale boys soccer team ever since the program was established. With six freshman and six sophomores on the squad for ’26, the Bulldogs will be gaining valuable experience each time on the pitch.
As for returning seniors, Josh Iles is on the roster but is injured and could return later this season, according to his coach. Other returning players in the rotation include; Luke Brettin, Easton Bullard, Ian Campbell, Drew Dykstra, Zach Freehling, Oliver Nelson, Liam Topelewski, Oliver Nelson and Logan Wright.
Yale 2, North Branch 2
In their season opener, Yale battled North Branch to a 2-2 tie on the pitch.
“I thought we played a very good first half with this being our first game of the year. Our guys did a good job with their positioning and communicated well. We were able to create multiple scoring opportunities with our through balls, combination play, and dribbling opportunities,” said Coach Egan.
The veteran soccer coach felt his team, “could have tallied four goals in the first half if our finishing would’ve been better.”
Egan felt the team did not create as many scoring opportunities in the second half and lost the midfield battle due to poor positioning on the field.
“Like many young teams, we will need to improve our focus and fitness to get the results we want,” Egan said.
In the first half of the match against the Broncos, Yale scored a goal on a penalty kick by Liam Topelewski. Luke Brettin added the Bulldogs’ second score, netting a shot after a nice pass from Ian Campbell.
Yale keeper Ryan Debbs made three saves in the first half and knocked away five more Bronco shots on goal in the second half.
2026 Yale boys soccer roster
| 0/29 | Ryan Debbs | FR |
| 2 | *Joshua Iles | SR |
| 3 | Benjamin Schnackenberg | SR |
| 4 | Kellen Majcher | FR |
| 5 | Bryce Duvall | JR |
| 7 | Matthew Willey | FR |
| 8 | *Zach Freehling | JR |
| 9 | Easton Bullard | JR |
| 10 | *Liam Topolewski | JR |
| 12 | Oliver Nelson | JR |
| 13 | Logan Wright | SO |
| 14 | Wyatt Radatz | SO |
| 15 | Luke Campbell | SO |
| 16 | Luke Brettin | SO |
| 17 | Aldwyn Allen | SO |
| 18 | Ian Campbell | JR |
| 19 | Wyatt Whittaker | FR |
| 21 | Blake Landrum | JR |
| 22 | Drew Dykstra | JR |
| 23 | Branson Whitmer | FR |
| 24 | Terrence Schott | SO |
| 27 | Liam McAtamney | FR |
| 28 | Simon Cartal | SR |
| *Captains | ||
| Head Coach: Pat Egan | ||
| Assistant Coaches: | ||
| Wade Whittaker | ||
| Brayden Bullard | ||
| Michal Polechonski |
