EUGENE, Ore. – The Bushnell men's soccer program has steadily climbed the Cascade Collegiate Conference ladder under fifth-year head coach Joao Ehlers, and the Beacons believe they are positioned to take another significant step forward in 2026.
 
With a deep and talented roster featuring 25 returners and 23 newcomers, Bushnell enters the season looking to build on last year's breakthrough campaign. The Beacons finished 10-6-4 in 2025 and delivered one of the biggest postseason surprises in program history, upsetting top-seeded Eastern Oregon University in a penalty-kick shootout during the CCC Quarterfinals.
 
The success was another milestone in the program's upward trajectory. After inheriting a team that won just two matches the season before his arrival, Ehlers has overseen an increase in victories every year and has transformed Bushnell into a legitimate conference contender.
 
"We have a lot of depth at every single position and a lot of quality, and we are very excited for what this season can be," Ehlers said. "We have worked hard the last few years to add talent, and even though we are dealing with quite a few injuries early on, we will be fine in the long run and have what we need to be successful."
 
Depth may be Bushnell's greatest strength heading into the season. The Beacons' 48-man roster gives Ehlers options across the pitch, while a strong NWAC pipeline has continued to bolster the program. Eight former NWAC players have earned starting opportunities during preseason scrimmages, adding experience and physicality to an already competitive squad.
 
"Last season we raised the bar in every area," Ehlers said. "We have added a lot of experience and a lot of transfers who understand what it takes to succeed at this level. We should be able to fight to take the next step and battle near the top of the conference. It won't be easy, but we have what we need to be successful."
 
Another defining characteristic of the program is its international flavor. Bushnell's roster includes 26 international student-athletes representing 19 countries, creating a diverse environment that has become a cornerstone of the team's identity.
 
"We have a lot of different soccer backgrounds," Ehlers said. "The players bring different ideas that help shape our style of play. We learn from each other both on and off the field. Many of our players grew up in different cultures and under different coaching philosophies, and those experiences help make us a better team."
 
GOALKEEPERS
 
Bushnell boasts its largest-ever stable of options at the Keeper position with five players vying for minutes and no shortage of talent pushing for the starting role. With no clear-cut incumbent returning, the battle for the starting job could be one of the most competitive storylines in early matches.
 
Returning to the mix are sophomores Nevan Englin and Josh Anderson, joined by a trio of newcomers in junior Aaron Lowry (Pasco, Wash.), freshman Vasco Branco (Lisbon, Portugal), and freshman Hayden O'Neal (El Mirage, Arizona).
 
Lowry transfers from Walla Walla Community College where he was a two-time NWAC All-Star. Coach Ehlers said, "Aaron is a great leader on the field. He is very physical and does a great job at organizing our defensive line."
 
Branco hails from Escola Secundaria do Restelo, and brings a ton of talent to the pitch. "Vasco developed in great academies in Portugal," said Ehlers. "He has a solid foundation technically to work with and has a lot of potential. We are going to develop him and continue to get him game experience."
 
DEFENSE
 
The starting back line for the Bushnell defense will be an experienced group when the first whistle sounds, but the team has plenty of experience and the depth needed to weather any storm that may come through the season.
 
Coach Ehlers said, "We have a lot of depth, and we have quality guys that can step up at any time and give us positive outcomes. The top four that we have used are transfers that have come from NWAC schools. They understand the physicality of this league and the pace that we need to play in order to find spaces on the field."
 
Returning to impact roles this season are seniors Jesus Aguilar and Aaron Villa who have played in a combined 65 games throughout their Bushnell careers. "Jesus is a natural leader," said Ehlers. "He has good ideas on the field and brings a lot of experience to the team. Aaron has a lot of pace and ability to improvise in small areas. He can give us a lot of options when playing on the right side of the field."
 
Alex Eberhard (Seattle) joins the Beacons as a junior after two seasons at Lane Community College where he earned First-Team All-NWAC Southern Region honors. "Alex is a great player," said Ehlers. "He is very good in the air and is very strong in tackles. He has good leadership skills and the experience that we need in the back line."
 
Junior Eduardo Rocha-Bernal (Everett, Wash.) comes to Bushnell from Whatcom Community College where he was also an NWAC All-Star. Coach Ehlers said, "Eduardo is a very smart player. He knows how to organize the team and how to lead us from the back."
 
Another key piece will be junior Englishman Sammy Bayer (London) who transfers in from Rogue Community College. "Sammy is good on the ball and has great ideas offensively," said Ehlers. "He will help us with speed on the left side."
 
Also expected to provide plenty of help in the back are freshmen Emmanuel Rea (Guadalajara, Mexico) and Tiago Furtado (Loulé, Portugal). Coach Ehlers said, "We really like what Emmanuel has done so far in training camp. He developed in the Eugene Metro soccer club and has a lot of potential. He has great size and great skills that will help us in the back. Tiago has a good left foot which allows us to have good quality when playing out of the back."
 
A handful of returners will also bolster the defense, including juniors Nicolas Guerrero and Konstantinos Gavriel along with senior Jay Jay Van Der Velde. Coach Ehlers said, "Jay Jay is a good leader. He is a very smart player that has good solutions for the situations we face on the field."
 
MIDFIELD
 
If Bushnell is going to compete near the top of the CCC, the midfield will be the catalyst. The Beacons return several key pieces while adding technically gifted transfers capable of dictating tempo and creating chances. Ehlers said, "We have some of our key players from the last few years back in the midfield and that will help us maintain the tempo we want. We have guys that help us maintain possession, which is the key to creating opportunities to score and limiting opportunities for our opponents."
 
Among the notable returners is James Duggan, who moves up from a primarily defensive role last season. Coach Ehlers said, "James' leadership on the field has helped us tremendously in the past. He is in good shape and will continue to keep us organized on the field.
 
Other returners expected to see plenty of playing time include senior Javier Gutierrez, junior David Melo, and redshirt sophomore Alberto Vargas.
 
They are joined by a cast of notable newcomers, led by transfers Severin Larsen (Las Vegas) and Tomas Jujihara (Victoria, B.C.). "Severin and Tomas really contribute in the technical aspect with good ideas and good execution, and will help us maintain the ball," said Ehlers.
 
Larsen transfers in from Rogue CC while Jujihara hails from NCAA Division II Kentucky Wesleyan College. Ehlers said, "Severin has great vision and skills using his left foot. He will help us to control the tempo of the game. Tomas has great ideas and creative skill. He will create a lot of goal scoring opportunities for us this season."
 
Another NWAC transfer from SWOCC, sophomore Taha Takahashi (Aichi, Japan) becomes Bushnell soccer's first Japanese-born player. "Taha is a very technical player that moves very well off the ball," said Ehlers.
 
Freshmen Himmatt Sangha (Vancouver, B.C.) and Nuno Megre (Abrantes, Portugal) are also anticipated to play a role in the rotation. Coach Ehlers said, "Himmatt has good size and ability to cover a lot of ground while Nuno is a very technical player that will help us keep possession."
 
FORWARDS

Replacing production is the biggest question facing the Beacons entering 2026. Bushnell must replace four of its top six scorers from a season ago, including All-CCC performer Danny Rojas and all-time great Caleb Premo.
 
"We lost some interesting traits with guys like Caleb Premo and Danny Rojas up top," said Coach Ehlers. "The players we have now are different, and we really believe the as we get used to playing together as a team, they will develop and do a great job for us this season. They are developing chemistry and we know those patterns that they develop will give us some firepower."
 
Bushnell's all-time assists leader, Barajas scored 12 goals last season and remains one of the program's most dangerous attacking threats. Although he is currently sidelined by injury, the senior is expected to make an immediate impact upon his return.
 
"Omar is a leader for us," said Ehlers. "He really understands our culture and how we want to play. He had a great season last fall and we are excited to see what he can do for us this year when he gets healthy."
 
A few other returners should continue to make themselves known at the Forward spots, notably Joan Remo Morales in his second season with the team. Remo Morales scored four goals last season, including a game-winner. "Joan is a very physical center forward," said Ehlers. "He gives us the opportunity to be more direct and vertical when we struggle to connect short passes."
 
One player expected to make a great leap forward is junior Brady Housley who has scored five goals and three assists over the first two years of his career. Ehlers said, "Brady reported in great shape and has done great things so far."
 
Also returning to the mix is the always dangerous redshirt sophomore Joao Maia. "Joao has good finishing skills and will score some important goals for us during his time here," said Ehlers.
 
A whole host of newcomers are also expected to find the back of the net early and often in 2026 including NWAC transfers Teva Mataoa (Provo, Utah) out of SWOCC and Evan Drueding (Esslingen, Germany) out of Whatcom CC. Coach Ehlers said, "Teva and Evan can help us with creativity and speed in wide areas and we are going to be using them a lot for offensive play. Teva has good pace and great ideas up front. He did very well in the scrimmages we played so far and we are excited to see how much he can help."
 
Another high-profile transfer comes from the NAIA ranks as junior Felipe Benavides (Santiago, Chile) joins from Freed Hardeman University in Tennessee. "Felipe is a very vertical player," said Ehlers. "He has great speed and ability to make runs in behind."
 
One freshman import also expected to have a major impact putting points on the board is Liva Rabeary (Hamburg, Germany). Coach Ehlers said, "Liva is bringing a lot to the table with offensive movement and creativity. He is going to do a great job for us this season."
 
SEASON OUTLOOK
 
As the Beacons prepare to open the season, expectations continue to rise. With proven veterans, experienced transfers, and increased competition for playing time throughout the roster, Bushnell believes it has the talent and depth necessary to compete with the conference's best and make another postseason push in 2026.
 
The Beacons kick things off on Tuesday night, traveling to face off against George Fox University in their season opener. They come home for their Civic Park debut on Thursday when they face NAIA power Stanton University in what should be a good test. The Elks are the defending California Pacific Conference champions and went 11-1-3 last season.
 
Four more non-conference games will follow including three more against CalPac opponents. "We are playing a more difficult preseason schedule," said Ehlers, "which we believe will help prepare us well for the CCC."
 
The CCC schedule kicks off at home against the University of Providence on September 19.