WILLIAMSBURG — Virginia Peninsula Community College’s men’s soccer team will open the 2026 season with four matches in eight days, including games on three consecutive days.
Second-year coach Al Cousineau said the early stretch will provide an early measure of the team.
“I don’t mind being challenged right out of the gate,” Cousineau said.
The Gators open the season Aug. 23 on the road against Mid-Atlantic Christian University before returning home for matches against Wake Technical Community College on Aug. 28 and Shaw University on Aug. 29. The stretch concludes Aug. 30 at Patrick & Henry Community College.
The games against Wake Tech and Patrick & Henry are Region 10 contests.
“It’s one of the toughest regions in the junior college system,” Cousineau said. “These games are definitely going to test where we are as a program.”
In September, VPCC opens with four straight Region 10 matches, including three on the road. The Gators will finish the month with four consecutive home games, with only one nonconference matchup.
“That’s when we should be playing our best soccer,” Cousineau said. “The guys should know each other.”
The Gators will play home matches at Wanner Stadium and the WISC outdoor fields in Williamsburg, along with Kiln Creek Park in York County.
Cousineau said having the schedule finalized early gives players more time to plan classes and other responsibilities around travel and competition.
“Commitment by the players will make or break the season,” he said.
Ten players return from last year’s squad, which finished 2-9. Cousineau said integrating returning players with newcomers will be critical during preseason.
“The kids have to be introduced to what it’s like to compete at the college level,” he said. “Our preseason focus is getting them to play faster, think faster and be ready for a more physical game.”
Fitness also will be a major factor, particularly with the season’s demanding opening stretch.
“We’re going to have to be able to play these games at a high level, turnaround with a recovery day and get back on the field,” Cousineau said.
He said the early schedule could help prepare the team for conference play.
“We want to improve each and every week, and this schedule definitely will offer us challenges and maybe a chance to win more games than we did last year,” he said.
The Gators’ first practice is scheduled for Aug. 1.
