FREDONIA, N.Y. -- A five-game mid-season home stand for the Fredonia State's men's soccer team will set the stage for SUNYAC play, which has taken on a new look in 2026. 

After opening the season with two scrimmages and three regular-season games on the road, five straight home games will keep the Blue Devils on the University Stadium pitch throughout the middle of September. The stretch begins Sept. 11 vs. Heidelberg as part of the annual two-day Blue Devil Classic. The Blue Devils will also face Bryant & Stratton the following day.

The Classic is followed by home dates with Nazareth, Laroche, and Houghton before the Blue Devils embark on the SUNYAC portion of their schedule Sept. 26 at Morrisville. In addition to Morrisville, Fredonia State's division opponents will be Cortland, Buffalo State, Oswego, and Alfred State, which is joining the league in 2026. Crossover games include traditional power Oneonta and newcomers Delhi and Cobleskill. 

With three new teams, the conference is splitting into East and West divisions. In addition, the tournament format is new. Eight teams will qualify with the top two seeds each receiving a double bye. 

"This year's schedule," Head Coach P.J. Gondek said, "offers a comparable level of competition, though the SUNYAC slate will look different with the conference's new East/West divisional format. With eight of the conference's 12 teams qualifying for the postseason, finishing near the top of the division will be critical for seeding. After a highly successful 2025 season, maintaining that momentum will be a priority as we open the year against familiar Western New York rivals Geneseo and RIT in the first week of play."

The Blue Devils were 8-7-4 last season, including a 1-0 SUNYAC tournament win at Plattsburgh, and were 5-2-1 at home.