CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The Citadel soccer head coach
Ciaran Traquair announced the Bulldogs' 2026 schedule, which features 18 regular-season matches, 10 home contests and nine Southern Conference matchups.
"We are excited for the challenges ahead and hope the challenging road trips and matchups against new opponents will prepare us for SoCon play," Traquair said. "Having our preseason exhibitions at home is a bonus as we try to build momentum heading into our regular-season home opener."
The Bulldogs will prepare for the regular season with two home exhibition matches, beginning Aug. 5 against UNCW, before welcoming USC Lancaster to Charleston on Aug. 8.
The regular season begins Aug. 12, when the Bulldogs travel to Charlotte to face Queens. The contest will mark the first ever meeting between the programs.
The Citadel opens its regular-season home slate Aug. 17, hosting Southern Utah, another first-time opponent. The Bulldogs then return to the road Aug. 21 for a contest at Kennesaw State, marking their first-ever road meeting and just the second matchup all-time against the Owls.
South Carolina State visits Charleston on Aug. 27. The Citadel earned a 1-0 road victory in last year's meeting, scoring the lone goal in the 78th minute.
Winthrop comes to Charleston on Aug. 30. The Bulldogs are unbeaten in three home meetings against the Eagles with a 2-0-1 record.
The Citadel travels to UNC Asheville on Sept. 3, looking to secure its first road victory in the series after going 2-0-1 in the last three meetings, including home wins in 2022 and 2024 and a scoreless road draw in 2023.
The Bulldogs host Charleston Southern on Sept. 10 for the 18th all-time meeting against their crosstown rival before welcoming Bob Jones on Sept. 12 for Senior Day. The Citadel is 3-0 all-time against Bob Jones, including a 3-0 victory last season.
Southern Conference play begins Sept. 17, when VMI visits Charleston. The Citadel holds an 11-9 advantage in the all-time series and defeated the Keydets 2-0 on the road last season.
The Bulldogs open conference road play Sept. 20 at Chattanooga. The Citadel claimed a 2-1 home victory over the Mocs in 2025, with returning players
Samantha Grantham and
Charlotte Seay each finding the back of the net.
UNCG visits Charleston on Sept. 24. The Bulldogs battled the Spartans to a 1-1 draw in Greensboro last season.
The Citadel opens October with a road match against Mercer on Oct. 1 before returning home to face Furman on Oct. 4.
The Bulldogs then begin a two-match road swing, traveling to Western Carolina on Oct. 9 before stepping out of conference play to face Tennessee Tech on Oct. 15. The contest against Tennessee Tech will mark the first meeting between the programs as Southern Conference opponents following the Golden Eagles' move to the league on July 1.
The Citadel closes its home schedule with consecutive SoCon contests, beginning Oct. 18 against Wofford. Samford visits Charleston for the home finale on Oct. 23.
The Bulldogs conclude the regular season Nov. 1 at ETSU in Johnson City, Tennessee.
The Southern Conference Championship begins with the play-in round Nov. 5.
2026 The Citadel Soccer Schedule
Aug. 5 - UNCW (Exhibition)
Aug. 8 - USC Lancaster (Exhibition)
Aug. 12 - at Queens
Aug. 17 - Southern Utah
Aug. 21 - at Kennesaw State
Aug. 27 - South Carolina State
Aug. 30 - Winthrop
Sept. 3 - at UNC Asheville
Sept. 10 - Charleston Southern
Sept. 12 - Bob Jones
Sept. 17 - VMI
Sept. 20 - at Chattanooga
Sept. 24 - UNCG
Oct. 1 - at Mercer
Oct. 4 - Furman
Oct. 9 - at Western Carolina
Oct. 15 - at Tennessee Tech
Oct. 18 - Wofford
Oct. 23 - Samford
Nov. 1 - at ETSU
Nov. 5 - Southern Conference Championship begins
Fans can stay tuned to CitadelSports.com and follow @CitadelWSoccer on social media for continued coverage throughout the season.
-- #MarchingForward --
