The #19 Middlebury men’s soccer team commences the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5 at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. The Panthers posted a 10-6-2 record and earned spots in the NESCAC semifinals and second round of the NCAA Tournament a season ago. This year’s captains are Owen Davis, Colin Dugan, Charlie Johnson and Quinn Pappendick.

Leon Brody is the lone returner to appear in net a season ago, making five appearances and three starts. He tallied 11 saves across 304:42 of play, including a career-high six stops at Connecticut College. Tiger Xie and JD Ball also bolster the goalkeeper room.

Rising sophomore Hamin Kim led all returning defenders with 1,130 minutes of action, contributing his first collegiate goal against Vassar on October 21 and adding a pair of assists during conference play. Charlie Johnson and Antonio Cosentino solidified a defensive unit that surrendered 14 goals over 18 matches and finished third in the NESCAC in scoring margin (1.16).

Orlando Cavaceppi-Dove played a major role in the midfield as a rookie, starting all 18 contests and ranking fourth on the squad with 1,211 minutes. He recorded his first marker and helper against Colby on October 11 and added an assist against Bowdoin on November 1. Pappendick was one of eight athletes to appear in all 18 matches, contributing a pair of goals. Other key returners in the midline include JT Federman, Dylan Payne and Ben Shapiro.

The Panthers return 80 percent of their scoring production from a season ago, headlined by rising senior Will Sawin. The All-NESCAC First Team honoree rustled the net nine times and distributed four assists a campaign ago, posting two multi-goal efforts and a four-match scoring streak. He is supported by Keagan Harder (4G, 1A) and Dugan (2G, 1A) on the offensive end. Middlebury also welcomes a talented class of nine first-year players.

Elias enters his ninth season at the program’s helm and his 13th on the staff overall, owning an 84-27-27 record with double-digit win totals five consecutive seasons. Assistant coaches Tim Peng, Ben Potter ‘20 and Leland Gazo return for the new campaign.