SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word men's soccer team will open the 2026 season by hosting the University of Massachusetts Lowell on Thursday, Aug. 20. Led by seventh-year head coach Kiki Lara, the 2026 Cardinals look to continue their steady rise since transitioning to Division I.
The Cardinals are coming off a 5-7-6 season, but their record doesn't tell the whole story. Despite its sub-.500 record, the team conceded just six matches, its second-fewest in the Division I era. The Cardinals also received their first-ever ranking in the United Soccer Coaches poll, coming in at No. 10 in the North Region, after defeating No. 18 SMU for the first time in school history and playing No. 21 Pittsburgh to a 0-0 draw, both on the road. The victory in Dallas marked the highest-ranked win in program history, with the Mustangs going on to win the ACC.
The 2026 team is headlined by a core group of veterans returning to the pitch. The group features seven seniors and 10 juniors, accounting for 17 upperclassmen on the roster. The Cardinals return their top four goal scorers from a season ago, including leading scorer Diego Robles. The junior enters the season after a remarkable summer with West Texas FC, where he was named the 2026 USL League Two Golden Boot winner after netting 16 goals, accounting for 62 percent of the club's 26 goals. His performance earned him a spot on the 2026 Preseason OVC Players to Watch List.
Joining Robles as key pieces on the attack are senior Noe Robles, senior Trust Chigede and redshirt junior Emmanuel Martinez. The trio returns 43 percent of the Cardinals' goals from last season, providing UIW with a veteran presence up front heading into 2026.
The Cardinals' experience is not limited to the attack, as a veteran core returns to anchor the back line. Juniors Avaneesh and Aarush Kamath and Hazani Torres headline a UIW backline that conceded just 18 goals last season while recording six shutouts. All three juniors were a part of a defensive unit that helped the Cardinals post back-to-back seasons with the fewest goals conceded.
With a veteran core returning on both sides of the ball, the Cardinals have built a strong foundation heading into 2026. Now, the team will look to translate that experience into results as the season gets underway. Here's a look at the Cardinals' schedule this week.
UMASS LOWELL
WHEN AND WHERE: Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m., Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
ABOUT THE RIVER HAWKS: The River Hawks were picked to finish sixth in the America East preseason poll, after posting a 7-7-4 last season, reaching the conference semifinals. Last season, they played defending national champions and conference opponent Vermont to a 0-0 draw. Their 2026 team will feature 14 newcomers, including two freshmen and 12 incoming junior transfers.
MATCHUP HISTORY: The teams' last, and only meeting in 2025 resulted in a 0-0 draw in San Antonio. UML had the narrow advantage in shots, 10 to UIW's nine, but the Cardinals held the advantage in shots on goal, two to zero.
JACKSONVILLE
WHEN AND WHERE: Sunday, Aug. 23 at 7 p.m., Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium
ABOUT THE DOLPHINS: Coming off a 6-7-5 season, Jacksonville was picked to finish sixth out of nine teams in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Senior defender Iver Skorve was the lone Dolphin to make the 2026 Preseason All-ASUN Team. Last season, he found the back of the net three times as a defender, including the equalizer against Bellarmine in the ASUN Championship semifinals. The Dolphins will face another OVC team, Houston Christian, before making the trip down to San Antonio to take on the Cardinals on Sunday.
MATCHUP HISTORY: Sunday's matchup will be the first in program history against Jacksonville.
FOLLOW ALONG
For the most up-to-date information on UIW Athletics, visit uiwcardinals.com, follow the Cardinals on X @UIWAthletics and on Instagram @uiw_athletics.
Follow the team on X @UIWMensSoccer and on Instagram @uiwmenssoccer.
