The Mayville boys soccer team opened the 2026 season with three matches in four days, picking up a season-opening victory before dropping a pair of contests to close out a busy first week.
With a mix of veteran leadership and young players taking on larger roles, head coach Bill Brownlow entered the season knowing the Cardinals would be tested early.
Four-year starters Colton Neumann and Nick Wojahn anchor Mayville’s experienced senior group, along with Landon Bender, Jezer Blanco and Andy Chen. Brownlow said that leadership will be important as younger players gain experience.
“Colton Neumann and Nick Wojahn are four-year starters who have made lots of contributions over their careers in Mayville, and they will play a big role in our success this year,” Brownlow said.
Sophomores Colin Koepsell, Grant Herschleb and Hamish Worthington are among the underclassmen being asked to take on larger responsibilities this season.
Cardinals Open With 4-2 Victory
Mayville started the season on a winning note Tuesday, Aug. 25, defeating Cedar Grove-Belgium 4-2 in a nonconference matchup at Ribbens Memorial Field.
Wojahn led the Cardinals’ attack with two goals in the season-opening victory. Koepsell added a goal, while freshman Ethan Guzman also found the back of the net as Mayville put four goals on the board.
The victory gave the Cardinals a 1-0 start and an early glimpse of the combination of veteran and younger talent Brownlow hopes will develop throughout the season.
Offensively, Brownlow wants the Cardinals to use quick ball movement to generate counterattacking opportunities while getting support from the midfield.
“If our midfield can support the attack while also being defensively responsible, then we should be getting the results we need,” Brownlow said.
Waupun Edges Mayville, 2-1
The Cardinals returned to Ribbens Memorial Field Thursday, Aug. 27, for a tight matchup against Waupun.
Mayville battled the Warriors throughout the 80-minute contest but came up just short in a 2-1 loss.
Grant Herschleb connected with Jaxson Haylett-Bauer for Mayville’s goal, with Haylett-Bauer finishing the opportunity to keep the Cardinals in a close contest.
“Tough one to swallow tonight, but I can’t fault the boys’ effort,” Brownlow said. “The Cardinals battled for all 80 minutes against a relentless Waupun Warriors squad.”
Brownlow said the game came down to a handful of opportunities.
“We saw brilliant execution out there when Grant Herschleb picked out Jaxson Haylett-Bauer, who buried an absolute laser into the back of the net,” Brownlow said. “In a tight, high-intensity matchup like this, it comes down to the finest of margins, and we unfortunately found ourselves on the wrong side of a 1-2 scoreline at the final whistle.”
Despite the loss, Brownlow was pleased with the fight his team showed.
“I told the group in the post-game huddle that I couldn’t be prouder of how they fought,” he said.
Cardinals Fall at Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld
There was little turnaround time for Mayville as the Cardinals traveled to face Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld Friday, Aug. 28.
Wisconsin Heights/Barneveld handed Mayville a 4-0 loss, dropping the Cardinals to 1-2 following the opening week.
The early stretch provided the type of test Brownlow expected for a team balancing experienced seniors with younger players taking on significant varsity roles.
Mayville’s biggest challenge entering the season was an inexperienced goalkeeper position, making team defense and limiting quality scoring opportunities particularly important.
“Our game plan is to limit the chances we allow, and this year we will have to work harder than ever to protect our net,” Brownlow said.
Mayville has its sights set on competing near the top among the public schools in its conference and region while continuing to develop its younger roster. Brownlow expects Lourdes Academy/Valley Christian to be the team to beat in the conference, with Winnebago Lutheran Academy and North Fond du Lac United also providing strong competition.
“We always aim to be the top public school in our conference and our region, and we need to develop our young players as well,” Brownlow said. “It will be a tough ask to do all these things because we have some excellent competition.”
Mayville soccer lost 6-1 to Columbus at home on Monday, Aug. 31, bringing its record to 1-3 through the first week of the season.
Looking ahead, the Cardinals take it on the road Sept. 1, traveling to Ripon after print time and back home Sept. 3, hosting St. Lawrence Seminary, first kick at 4:30 p.m.
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