There will be some revenge and retribution games, the teams wanting some get-back for a devastating loss last season. There'll be those meetings of ascending squads taking on perennial contenders and looking to prove themselves. And some games that, even absent those aforementioned factors, are simply great matchups or hold significance to the communities.
Lots of games will pique the interest, but here are 10 boys soccer games to look out for in the 2026 season.
Sept. 4
John Jay-East Fishkill vs. New Rochelle
The Huguenots open the season with a bang, starting off with a rematch of last year's Section 1 Class AAA final in which these teams earned a share of the title. But it's somewhat of a revenge game for New Rochelle as it was John Jay that advanced via penalty kicks.
Sept. 7
North Rockland vs. Scarsdale
It's
a meeting of Class AAA sectional semifinalists from last season. Both programs have thrived in recent years, and their previous two meetings have been competitive one-goal games.
Sept. 8
Bronxville vs. Briarcliff
Their last meeting produced one of the most exciting matches of 2025, Briarcliff pulling a semifinal upset as the teams played to a dramatic round of penalty kicks in heavy rain. What do they have as an encore?
Sept. 14
Mahopac vs. Harrison
Both teams had breakthrough runs and eventually collided in the Section 1 Class AA final. Harrison won en route to the state semifinals. Although some of the stars have moved on from either team, these programs figure to still be among the best.
Sept. 16
White Plains vs. Mamaroneck
They're among the better large-school teams and match up well with each other defensively. Only one goal was scored between them in two regular-season games last fall.
Sept. 19
Nanuet vs. Nyack
This game will be part of Nyack High School's Red Bandana Showcase, an event held in honor of Welles Crowther, a Nyack native and athlete whose story of heroism and sacrifice on 9/11 is legendary.
Sept. 24
Byram Hills vs. Rye
This one might be a double-sided grudge match. The Garnets' 3-0 early-season loss to Byram Hills was their last before a thrilling run to the Class A state final. But the Bobcats also pushed them to the brink in a physical 1-0 playoff showdown that intensified the rivalry.
Sept. 26
Pearl River vs. Tappan Zee
The Dutchmen beat Pearl River twice in the regular season, but the 14th-seeded Pirates responded with one of the biggest upsets last season, stunning Tappan Zee in the opening round of the playoffs. This will be their first meeting since then.
Oct. 1
Westlake vs. Walter Panas
Panas had an impressive run to the Class A sectional semifinals, before running into Rye. Westlake nearly reached the final as a sixth seed but was narrowly edged by Pleasantville in a 4-3 round of penalty kicks. Both teams return key players, and this will be an intriguing matchup.
Oct. 12
Section 1 vs. Section 9 Challenge
The annual intra-sectional tournament typically offers some prime matchups, but Rye vs. Cornwall is a standout this season. They both are elite squads that reached the Class AA and A state finals, respectively, and should again be in title contention. Lakeland vs. Beacon is also an interesting pairing in the showcase.
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Here are 10 must-see boys soccer games in the 2026 regular season
