WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — West Liberty University men's soccer enters the 2026 season with a program that head coach Sean Regan believes has moved beyond the building stage. The Hilltoppers are established.

Now, they want to take the next step.

West Liberty returns a strong veteran core from last year's team, including Jasper Newton, Barney Cowan, Kevin Teather, Brody Wall, Leyton Collier, Leandre Tyssandier, Ethan Nethery, EJ Sablan, Sam Jones and Zachary Jordan. The 2026 roster also features a number of newcomers who will compete for starting positions and playing time.

"We have a good returning core," Regan said. "Our top 18 guys are pretty much made up of probably about 15 returning players, so that solidifies a lot of continuity and unity within the squad."

That continuity was evident during preseason camp, where returning players have taken on leadership roles while helping integrate the newcomers into the program. Newton, Cowan, Teather and Wall have emerged as key leaders, according to Regan. "They're doing a great job as leaders along with Brody Wall," Regan said. "And then they're kind of really integrating all the new guys that we have and, so far, so good in terms of team chemistry."

West Liberty is coming off a 7-9-4 season in which the Hilltoppers finished 4-7-3 in Mountain East Conference play before making program history in the MEC Tournament. West Liberty defeated Point Park 3-0 in the opening round, earning the first postseason victory in program history, before falling to Concord 3-2 in the semifinal.

The breakthrough was a significant milestone for a program that has steadily progressed under Regan. The Hilltoppers have spent the past several seasons building toward postseason success, and last year's victory over Point Park provided tangible evidence that the program has reached another level.

The Hilltoppers produced 35 goals during the 2025 campaign, the highest single-season total in program history according to Regan, while receiving contributions throughout the lineup.

"We want to score goals," Regan said. "Last year we scored the most goals we ever have in program history, but we gave up a little bit too much for our liking. So I would say that we're trying to kind of do a little bit more of a balance, try to concede less goals without trying to sacrifice the attack."

West Liberty's balanced attack produced 35 goals from 15 different players last season. Leyton Collier returns after scoring two goals and adding eight assists, while Leandre Tyssandier scored three goals with an assist and Ethan Nethery added three goals. Jasper Newton contributed two goals and two assists, while EJ Sablan scored twice and added an assist.

Regan believes that depth can become an even bigger strength in 2026. "We had about four or five guys that had like four to six goals," Regan said. "We didn't have an outstanding guy that scored over 10. And I think we have a little bit more depth than that."

The goal is to create an attack capable of producing from multiple positions rather than relying on a single scorer. "If we can have the same four or five guys with four or five goals, and we can have another three or four guys that can do that as well, it's going to make us stronger," Regan said.

The defensive side of the ball will receive equal attention. West Liberty allowed 37 goals in 2025 and posted five shutouts, with goalkeeper Shai'ya Fitzgerald providing a strong presence in goal. Regan believes the key is greater discipline and better decision-making when the Hilltoppers are committed to the attack. "At times I think we were a little bit too eager to attack, and so we put too many guys forward," Regan said. "We have to kind of manage the way we defend against certain teams."

That balance will be particularly important in a new-look MEC landscape. The 2026 conference format divides the league into North and South divisions, with West Liberty joining Davis & Elkins, Point Park, Wheeling, Frostburg State and Fairmont State in the North.

Regan sees the Hilltoppers as one of the teams capable of competing at the top of the division. "I think we're probably one of the favorites to win the North," he said. That creates a different level of expectation for a program that has spent the past several seasons building toward this point. "We are established," Regan said. "This has to be the minimum target now, where before it was our Super Bowl was getting in. Now it's, that's just the norm."

West Liberty's goals are straightforward: compete for the North Division title and earn the opportunity to host a playoff game. "Our little targets now are try to win the North and try to get a home playoff game," Regan said. "Those are, I think, for the first time ever, achievable targets."

The Hilltoppers will have plenty of opportunities to test themselves before the conference race takes shape.

West Liberty opens the season Thursday, Aug. 27, at Daemen in Amherst, N.Y., before traveling to Chestnut Hill on Aug. 30. The Hilltoppers make their home debut Sept. 9 against Point Park at the West Family Athletic Complex.




West Liberty University blends a small-town environment with a comprehensive college experience, fostering students' aspirations through hands-on learning, personalized support, and unique academic programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels. Learn more at westliberty.edu.