LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates men's soccer team heads into the 2026 season with a lot of momentum as they look to build on the success they've enjoyed in the first two years under head coach Ben Brewster.

Bates visits Williams to get the campaign underway Saturday at noon.

"We were back in the NESCAC playoffs (last year) for the first time since 2019, which was a solid step forward for the team," Brewster said on this week's episode of the Bates Bobcast. "So that certainly instills belief in guys having now played in a playoff game, and the challenge now is: can we improve on that? Can we get back in the NESCAC playoffs and can we improve on it? And it's really just doing the right things each and every day."

The Bobcats return a pair of All-NESCAC players from a team that went 7-6-3 a year ago.

Sophomore forward Chris Bianco (East Greenwich, R.I.) tallied three goals and led the team with four assists as a rookie. Meanwhile, junior captain Hewitt Stevenson (Menlo Park, Calif.) anchored a Bates defense that tied for fifth in the NESCAC in allowing only 0.75 goals per match. 

"Bianco is fast, strong and competitive," Brewster said. "His mentality is one of his strengths, and he has been playing with a lot of energy and confidence since we returned for preseason."

Stevenson started all 16 matches last year after having played in just nine as a rookie.

"As a first-year, it took Hewitt nearly half a season to get up to speed of what the college game was, both athletically and physically," Brewster said. "And since then he's taken off. He's hardworking, understated, has outstanding emotional control, and impacts the game in and out of possession for us."

Stevenson is one of four captains on this year's team. He's joined by fellow defenders senior Andrew Goddard (Enfield, Conn.) and senior Noah Greiff (Washington, D.C.) as Bates boasts an experienced backline. Senior captain Antonio Mesa (Bogotá, Colombia) started his career at Bates on defense but is now a center forward. He is the team's leading returning goal scorer, having found the back of the net four times last year.

"Those four were elected captains by their teammates for their contributions on and off the field," Brewster said. "They have done a nice job setting the standard as leaders and also welcoming our first-years into the fold."

Junior goalkeeper George Nassar (Newtonville, Mass.) is back as well, giving Bates an elite defense. He boosted his save percentage to .839 last year and recorded five shutouts for the second straight season. Nassar's goals against average was an impressive 0.67.

"Every year George is pushing forward in the offseason to get better, and he's done it again this year," Brewster said. "He's worked hard over the summer and he looks confident and strong so far in our preseason training."

Outside of the captains, Brewster is excited to have seniors Benny Bogyo (Redwood City, Calif.), Luc Parr (New Fairfield, CT) and Craddock Bridge (Celina, Ohio) playing key leadership roles on the team. Bogyo burst onto the scene as a walk-on his sophomore year, scoring three goals. He missed all of last season due to injury but is back for his final year as a Bobcat.

"The senior and junior classes, Hewitt, George, Julian Gravereaux (Brookline, Mass.), Andrew Jean Baptiste (Montvale, N.J.), and Zach Perron (Flemington, N.J.), have played a large role in our growth over the last years on and off the playing field," Brewster said. "Their continued commitment to model a high work ethic and team-first mindset will provide a strong example for the next generation of Bobcats."

Speaking of the next generation, the Bobcats boast nine first-years this season, each of whom is adjusting well.

"The transition to what college soccer is hasn't been as extreme because they've come in fit," Brewster said. "A lot of them are away from home for the first time. They're in the middle of first-year orientation right now. So they ran out of practice today at 8:30, quickly showered, and then were in an orientation meeting at 9 a.m. So it's just about getting their bearings, taking care of their bodies off the field, and continuing to pick up as much as they can during team training and video sessions."

Five of the first six matches this year are on the road for the Bobcats, with their home opener set for Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. against Husson.

"We are on the road for most of September, and then we get to play on Russell Street Field through October," Brewster said. "We are just excited to be back together as a team, and seek to compete each day with energy and enthusiasm. If we can do this on a consistent basis, it will help us get a little bit better every day. We're looking forward to our first test of the season at Williams on Saturday."