Marian Soccer Builds Toward Big 2026 Season with Depth, Experience, and Clear Identity

As the 2026 season gets underway, Marian soccer is once again setting a high standard. Head Coach Danny Price has built a program rooted in consistency, development, and a clear style of play—and this year’s group appears ready to carry that forward.

There is a strong sense of optimism across both the Varsity and JV levels, fueled in part by a talented incoming freshman class. Many of the newcomers bring significant club experience, immediately raising the level of competition throughout the program. That depth made for difficult decisions during tryouts and speaks to the strength Marian has built from top to bottom.

The Varsity team, in particular, stands out for its maturity. According to Price, this group has a clear understanding of its goals and the focus needed to achieve them. “The Varsity group is strong, and I feel they are more mature than in past seasons in terms of understanding what they want to accomplish and their focus on achieving it,” he said.

Combined with the experience of returning players, that mindset has created a group that is both driven and prepared. Even in the early stages of the season, the growth has been noticeable across all areas of the game—technically, tactically, physically, and mentally. “It’s only been about a week with this new Varsity group, but it’s already clear that many of the players have grown in different ways,” Price added. A handful of players have the potential to earn top individual recognition, but the strength of the team lies in its overall depth and cohesion.

Leadership will be a key component of that success. The team is led by captains Clair Dauer, Lily Robinson, Bella Sheena, and Nia Bordogna, each bringing a different leadership style and presence. At the same time, the program continues to emphasize that leadership is a shared responsibility. “We have four captains on this team who lead well and bring different strengths to the group,” Price said. “But we believe leadership extends beyond just the captains.” That culture is reflected in Marian’s identity on the field. The program prides itself on playing a creative, possession-based style of soccer—one that focuses on controlling the game while also applying consistent pressure defensively.

“Our biggest strengths are our ability to control games through possession and our pressing style when we don’t have the ball,” Price said. It’s an approach that has become a defining characteristic over the past two seasons and is reinforced at every level, including JV, to ensure a seamless transition for players moving up. “Our JV program adopts the same approach so that when players move up to Varsity, the transition is seamless,” he added. The JV team enters the season with plenty of motivation after winning a CHSL sectional title last year. With a mix of returning players and promising newcomers, they are expected to be competitive once again while continuing to develop talent for the Varsity level.

At the Varsity level, expectations remain high. Competing for a CHSL title is always a priority, but the team is also motivated by last season’s early exit from the MHSAA tournament. “Retaining our CHSL title is something we always strive for,” Price said, “and last year’s early exit from the tournament was extremely painful.” That experience has added an extra layer of determination as the group looks to make a deeper postseason run and ultimately reach East Lansing. “Our goal is always to represent Division 2 in East Lansing in June,” Price said. The schedule will provide no shortage of challenges. League matchups, especially against Regina, will once again be key tests, while non-conference games against Okemos, Mason, and Utica Eisenhower will push the team against strong competition outside the league. “In terms of matchups, any CHSL opponent is always one we look forward to, especially Regina,” Price noted.

One of the biggest challenges this season will be maintaining player health. With a demanding schedule, managing workload and staying consistent day-to-day will be critical to the team’s success over the long run. “We have a demanding schedule, so managing player workload from day to day and week to week will be very important,” he said.

While winning remains a goal, Price continues to emphasize a broader definition of success—one that includes growth, enjoyment, and the relationships built along the way. “I want our players to be able to say they enjoyed the journey and loved their teammates, coaches, and the support from their families,” he said.

As the season begins, Marian soccer is not just focused on performance, but also on community. With events like Club Soccer Night, the Future Mustang Game, and the Blood Cancer Awareness Game, the program is looking forward to strong support from students, families, and fans. “I would love to see the Marian soccer community come out and support the team this season,” Price said.

With a deep roster, strong leadership, and a commitment to its identity, Marian enters the 2026 season with all the pieces in place for another successful year—and the potential for something even bigger.