CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Boston College men’s soccer opens the 2026 season this Thursday on the Newton Soccer Field as they host Merrimack. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and the game will stream live on ACC Network Extra.
YEAR IN REVIEW
• Boston College is coming off a 7-9-1 overall record and a 1-6-1 record in the ACC
• The Eagles earned their lone conference victory against No. 14 Virginia Tech after Jack Burkhardt slotted home a penalty in the 39th minute.
• BC also picked up a point at home against No. 7 Duke with a 0-0 draw
• The Eagles picked up six wins in non-conference play with victories over Binghamton, Northeastern, Dean, Boston University, AIC, and St. Joseph’s
• Boston College suffered a 4-2 defeat to Stanford in the opening round of the ACC Tournament
THE RETURNERS
• Boston College returns eight players who appeared in 14 or more games during the 2025 campaign, including two who played in all 17 matches. Jack Burkhardt returns as the only player to start every game last season
• Michael Asare and Russel Brown are the top scorers to return, with Brown also leading the way with five assists last year
• BC returns a defensive unit headlined by ACC All-Rookie selection Andrej Borak. The Eagles also return three of the four starters from the backline along with Christian Bejar, who started 17 games in 2024
FRESH FACES
• The Eagles have 11 additions to this season’s roster
• BC brought in nine freshmen and two transfers
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
• Borak was named to the ACC Players to Watch list
A LOOK AT MERRIMACK
• Merrimack is coming off a 4-9-3 record in 2025
• The Warriors’ midfield is bolstered by the return of All-MAAC Third Team selection Nicolo Vallocchia
• Merrimack returns three of its top five goal scorers from a year ago, including joint leading scorer Keller Cassidy, who had four goals
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST THE WARRIORS
• The Eagles boast a 5-1-3 record all-time against the Warriors
• The two teams last met in 2024 in North Andover in a 1-0 BC victory
• Ask Ekeland scored the game-winner in the 55th minute off an assist from Xavier O’Neil
UP NEXT
• The Eagles are back in action on Sunday evening as Siena comes to the Newton Soccer Field for a 5:00 p.m. kickoff