Fairfield University's men's soccer team kicks off its 2026 season with an away game against #17 Marshall University on Thursday at 7 PM. This marks the third consecutive season opener on the road for the Stags. The team earned a fourth-place prediction in the rebranded Metro Conference's Preseason Coaches' Poll, securing one first-place vote. Key players include sophomores Sean Albritton and Alex Vaz, both recognized with Preseason All-Metro honors. Head Coach Krystian Witkowski, entering his third year, previously led Fairfield to a notable eight-match unbeaten streak last season.

By the Numbers
  • Fairfield finished the 2025 season with an 8-5-5 overall record.
  • The Stags scored 33 goals, the highest since 2005.
  • Sean Albritton had 9 goals last season, four of which were game winners.
  • Fairfield's defense allowed only 21 goals in 18 games.
State of Play
  • Marshall enters the season as the #17 ranked team in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll.
  • The Herd were second in the Sun Belt Coaches Poll, finishing 2025 with a record of 12-4-5.
  • Fairfield's next three out of four matches will be at home after the initial road trip.
What's Next

Following the match at Marshall, Fairfield will play against Lehigh University at home on September 1, setting the stage for an interesting start to the season with a balance of away and home fixtures.

Bottom Line

As Fairfield aims to build on last season’s performance, the upcoming games will be critical for establishing momentum early and showcasing their renewed offensive capabilities against tough competitors like Marshall.