WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary men's soccer closes out the 2026 regular season Saturday afternoon, hosting No. 20 UNCW in a pivotal Coastal Athletic Association game at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field.
Kickoff is set for 2 p.m., with the game streamed live on FloCollege.
The Tribe control their own postseason fate, needing a victory or draw against the Seahawks to secure their first CAA Tournament appearance since 2022. William & Mary also remain in contention for the No. 2 seed in the CAA South Division, depending on Saturday's results.
Clear Bag Policy and Metal DetectorsÂ
Furthering its commitment to a first class and secure environment at home athletic events, William & Mary has implemented the use of walk-through metal detectors at the entrances to athletic venues (both ticketed and non-ticketed events). This enhanced security method mirrors standard practice at most major professional and intercollegiate athletic events throughout the country and compliments the Clear Bag Policy already in place. Fans will proceed through metal detectors prior to having their tickets scanned or entering a venue for non-tickets events. Entrants will not need to remove items such as belts, cell phones, coins, jackets, jewelry, watches, wallets, shoes or other small objects. If additional screening is necessary, security staff will ask the individual to proceed to a secondary screening area, where they will be asked to divest themselves of certain items and pass through again until clear.
THE TRIBE. William & Mary enters Saturday at 7-7-2 overall and 2-3-2 in CAA play following a 6-0 setback at No. 15 North Carolina on Tuesday.
The Green and Gold have scored 30 goals through 16 games, averaging 1.88 goals per contest. The Tribe have been particularly productive in the second half, scoring 20 of their 30 goals after halftime.
William & Mary have recorded seven victories this season, matching their highest win total since 2021.
The Tribe have been strong at home this season, posting a 5-2 record at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. W&M have outscored their opponents 22-11Â in seven home games, including shutout victories over Charleston, Howard and Navy.
CAA TOURNAMENT PICTURE. Saturday's regular-season finale carries significant postseason implications for William & Mary.
The Tribe enter the weekend fourth in the CAA South Division standings with eight points, trailing Elon (10) and Charleston (nine).
William & Mary control their own postseason fate, as a victory or draw against UNCW would secure the program's first CAA Tournament appearance since 2022.
The Green and Gold also remain in contention for the No. 2 seed in the South Division. A Tribe victory, combined with an Elon loss to Campbell, would give W&M 11 points and move the Tribe ahead of the Phoenix.
UNCW have already clinched the South Division title and secured hosting rights throughout the CAA Tournament.
RUITENBERG LEADING THE WAY. Senior Gabe Ruitenberg continues to lead the Tribe offensively with 17 points on four goals and nine assists.
Ruitenberg's nine assists are tied for fifth nationally and tied for the CAA lead, while his 17 points rank among the conference leaders. The senior also leads W&M with 18 shots on goal this season.
Ruitenberg has recorded five assists over his last five games, including two each in victories over Howard and Navy earlier this month.
Freshman Aidan Gatchell ranks second on the team with 16 points on five goals and six assists. Gatchell earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors and TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week honorable mention recognition following his five-point performance against Howard on Oct. 8.
Sophomore Alex Garrison has added 11 points on five goals and an assist, while sophomore Beckham Harris has contributed seven points on three goals and an assist.
HUFFARD MAKING AN IMPACT. Freshman Brown Huffard leads William & Mary with seven goals and ranks third on the team with 15 points.
The McLean, Va., native is tied for second in the CAA in goals alongside UNCW's Cameron Keay and has recorded two game-winning goals this season.
Huffard has earned four CAA weekly honors, including three Rookie of the Week selections and one Offensive Player of the Week award.
The freshman also earned national recognition earlier this month, receiving TopDrawerSoccer Team of the Week and College Soccer News Freshman of the Week honors following a three-goal stretch against Navy and Charleston.
Huffard scored twice in the Tribe's 4-0 victory over Navy on Oct. 13 before adding the equalizer in a 1-1 draw at Charleston on Oct. 17.
Huffard and Gatchell were also recently named to TopDrawerSoccer's Men's Midseason Top 100 Freshmen list. Gatchell came in at No. 13, while Huffard was ranked No. 62.
GARCIARENA IN GOAL. Senior Diego Garciarena has started all 16 games in goal for the Tribe, recording 54 saves and four shutouts.
Garciarena owns a 7-7-2 record with a 1.75 goals-against average and a .659 save percentage.
The Asunción, Paraguay, native has recorded four shutouts this season, bringing his career total to nine.
Garciarena recorded consecutive shutouts against Howard and Navy earlier this month and has played nearly every minute for the Green and Gold this season.
THE SEAHAWKS. No. 20 UNCW enters Saturday at 10-2-2 overall and 6-0-1 in CAA play following a 2-1 victory over Charleston last Saturday.
The Seahawks have already clinched the CAA South Division title and secured hosting rights throughout the conference tournament.
UNCW are unbeaten in their last four games, posting a 3-0-1 record during that stretch. The Seahawks have scored 23 goals through 14 games, averaging 1.64 goals per contest while allowing just 0.93 goals per game.
Cameron Keay leads UNCW with 17 points on seven goals and three assists. His seven goals are tied for second in the CAA, while his three game-winning goals lead the conference.
Bryan Miralrio ranks second on the team with four goals and eight points. Miralrio was named CAA Offensive Player of the Week after scoring the go-ahead goal in the Seahawks' victory over Charleston last Saturday.
Lucas Siikala has added eight points on three goals and two assists, while Osei Gyamfi and Benjamin Gooding share the team lead with five assists apiece.
In goal, Alex Kron has appeared in 10 games with nine starts, recording 30 saves and four shutouts. Kron owns a 0.84 goals-against average and a .789 save percentage.
Trey Smiley has also appeared in five games, posting a 5-0 record with 17 saves and one shutout.
UNCW have recorded five shutouts this season and have allowed just 13 goals through 14 games.
TRIBE VS. SEAHAWKS. William & Mary hold a 38-12-7 advantage in the all-time series against UNCW.
The programs met earlier this season on Sept. 12 in Wilmington, N.C., where the Seahawks earned a 2-1 victory.
William & Mary's most recent victory over UNCW came on Oct. 4, 2025, when the Tribe defeated the Seahawks, 2-0, at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field.
Saturday marks the second meeting between the programs this season and gives the Green and Gold an opportunity to earn their third consecutive home victory over UNCW.
AGAINST RANKED OPPONENTS. Saturday marks William & Mary's third game against a nationally ranked opponent this season.
The Tribe are 0-2 against ranked competition in 2026 after falling 2-1 at No. 15 Old Dominion on Sept. 22 and 6-0 at No. 15 North Carolina on Tuesday.
W&M's most recent victory over a ranked opponent came on Oct. 11, 2022, when the Tribe defeated No. 10 Wake Forest, 2-1, in Williamsburg.
The Green and Gold's most recent result against a ranked opponent came in a scoreless draw at No. 11 North Carolina on Oct. 17, 2023.
Saturday provides William & Mary another opportunity to earn a ranked victory at home while competing for a spot in the CAA Tournament.
WHAT'S NEXT. With a victory or draw Saturday, William & Mary would advance to the CAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.
The Tribe's postseason opponent and location would be determined by the final CAA South Division standings.
