MACOMB, Ill. — The Leathernecks return to the field Monday for their first preseason test, hosting defending NJCAA Division I national champion Indian Hills Community College at John MacKenzie Alumni Field.
The Leathernecks were originally scheduled to open the preseason against Clarke University, but that match was canceled due to weather. Western will now enter Monday's contest without having played a preseason match, making the matchup with Indian Hills the team's first opportunity to test itself against outside competition following fall camp.
Western has spent the opening weeks of preseason working to build chemistry and establish its identity with a mix of returning players and newcomers. The Leathernecks return several familiar faces from last season, including Ryan Wrobleski, Oskar Grevelius, Diego Porras and Xavier Gagnon.
Monday's matchup will provide Western with an early opportunity to see how its work from camp translates to game action while giving the coaching staff a chance to evaluate different lineups and combinations.
Indian Hills enters the contest as one of the top junior college programs in the country. The Warriors were selected as the No. 1 team in the NJCAA Division I Men's Soccer preseason poll after capturing the program's first national championship last season. Indian Hills finished the 2025 campaign with a 12-6-4 record and is entering its third season under head coach Zac Newton.
The Warriors received 120 points from the NJCAA Division I voting committee, earning the top spot ahead of national runner-up Daytona State College. Indian Hills is also preparing for a demanding 2026 schedule that includes nine contests against nationally ranked opponents.
Indian Hills will open its regular season on Aug. 20 at No. 6-ranked Iowa Lakes Community College. Monday's contest against Western will serve as another opportunity for the defending national champions to prepare for the regular season.
FOLLOW THE LEATHERNECKS
For all the latest information on Leatherneck men's soccer, please visit GoLeathernecks.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Leathernecks on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook.
