Navy Men’s Soccer Welcomes Six Freshmen as 2026 Season Approaches
The Navy men’s soccer program officially welcomed six freshmen to its 2026 roster on Monday, providing head coach John Hackworth with an influx of young talent as the Midshipmen prepare to open preseason camp and begin a new campaign in the Patriot League. The class arrives in Annapolis after reporting on Induction Day in June and will begin competing for playing time immediately as preseason practices get underway.
The newest members of the program are:
- Keegan Cornett – Goalkeeper – Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
- Jack Illig
- Gavin McLain
- Cohen Nance
- Chase Paige
- Will Smith
The six-player class represents four different states and joins a Navy program looking to build momentum entering the 2026 season. In addition to the freshmen, the Midshipmen also added rising sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Howell during the spring season, giving Navy additional depth between the posts. The coaching staff also announced that sophomores Sam Clark and Luke Parker will wear new jersey numbers this fall, switching to No. 1 and No. 6, respectively.
Hackworth, who continues to reshape the roster with his recruiting classes, has emphasized bringing in student-athletes who fit both Navy’s demanding academic environment and its style of play. The incoming class features talent at multiple positions and gives the Midshipmen additional competition throughout preseason camp.
Navy opens preseason training on Tuesday, Aug. 4, with less than three weeks to prepare for the regular-season opener. The Midshipmen will begin the 2026 campaign on Aug. 20 with a road match against UC San Diego, kicking off another challenging schedule that includes Patriot League competition and several strong non-conference opponents.
The Midshipmen are one of the nation’s most tradition-rich collegiate soccer programs. Navy has captured an NCAA national championship (1964), reached four College Cups, and remains one of the Patriot League’s perennial contenders. The program hopes this freshman class can help return the Midshipmen to conference championship contention while continuing its tradition of developing leaders on and off the field.
MSB Take
The start of preseason always signals that fall sports are just around the corner, and this recruiting class gives Navy another opportunity to strengthen its depth. Freshmen often face a steep learning curve at the Naval Academy, but those who adapt quickly can become important contributors. With preseason camp now underway, all eyes will be on which newcomers make an immediate impression before the Midshipmen open the season later this month.
