UIS men's soccer opens the 2026 regular season Thursday, hosting Alabama Huntsville at 4:00 p.m. at Kiwanis Stadium.

The match serves as both the Prairie Stars' regular-season and home opener and begins a two-game non-conference stretch before GLVC play gets underway. UIS will travel to Western Illinois on Sunday for a 4:00 p.m. match.

UIS enters the season with a more experienced group than a year ago, with several returners expected to take on significant roles after playing substantial minutes during the 2025 season. Among those returners is All-GLVC selection Robin Lemke Bergseth, the Prairie Stars' leading scorer from a year ago. UIS also turned in a strong preseason as it prepares to begin regular-season competition.

Thursday's opponent, Alabama Huntsville, was picked fourth in the Gulf South Conference preseason coaches poll after going 9-4-4 last season and earning the No. 5 seed in the GSC Tournament.

The Chargers return several key contributors, including preseason All-GSC selections Oli Orzechowski and Sonny Wright. Orzechowski, a second-team All-GSC selection in 2025, led UAH with 10 goals and 21 points while recording three game-winning goals. Wright started all 17 matches in goal and finished the season with a 0.83 goals-against average, .806 save percentage and six shutouts.

The match is the first of two non-conference tests for UIS this week before the Prairie Stars turn their attention to the conference schedule.

Thursday's match will be streamed live on the GLVC Sports Network. Tickets are available for purchase through HomeTown Ticketing.