DANVILLE, Va. – For the first time in 12 seasons, Averett University men's soccer enters into a fall campaign with a new coach on the sidelines in former men's soccer alumnus Bradley Bizzell; with the 2026 fall slate finalized for his squad. 

The Bizzell era commences on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium, as the Cougars host William Peace University. The two squads tied 1-1 the previous season.

Two of Averett's last three non-conference bouts occur on the road, when Averett heads to USA South schools in Pfeiffer University and Mary Baldwin University on Sept. 5 and 12, respectively. The Cougars' Old Dominion Athletic Conference slate begins on Sept. 16, when they travel to in-state Ashland to take on Randolph-Macon College, in which the visitors haven't lost to the Yellow Jackets in two straight contests.

"This season is about setting the standard for what Averett soccer is and should be, bringing intensity, discipline, and pride every time we step on the field," Bizzell said. "We are excited for this coming season and ready to get started."

The squad's first home ODAC game takes place as the calendar flips to October, as they will battle Bridgewater College on the 3rd. This marks the first of three straight home conference games, with Eastern Mennonite University and Shenandoah University on the 7th and 9th, separately.

Following with two more road games, Averett will host its Senior Day against Guilford College on Oct. 21, then play out its last home game of the season against the University of Lynchburg, last season's conference winners, on Oct. 24. The Cougars round out 2026 at Washington and Lee, ODAC runners-up, on Oct. 28. 

The ODAC tournament is slated to begin on Oct. 31.