LA GRANDE, Ore. — Eastern Oregon University Men's and Women's Cross Country will open their seasons this week, while Men's and Women's Soccer return home for their Cascade Collegiate Conference home openers. Football hits the road to begin Frontier Conference East-West Division crossover play, and No. 1 Volleyball continues CCC action with a trip west.

Friday, September 18
No. 13 Men's and No. 20 Women's Cross Country will open the 2026 season in Nampa, Idaho, competing in the Northwest Nazarene Invite 8K beginning at 10 a.m. The Mountaineers opened last season at the same meet, with both teams placing fourth in a deep field that featured several ranked programs. The men were led by returners Hunter Marlatt and Trevor Nichols, with Grady Greenwood and Skyler Perkins rounding out the scoring. On the women's side, returners Kaleah Hines and Sadie McCoy led the way, with Kiah Carlson, Mattie Woodbury, Taylor Redick, and Kennedy Taylor completing the scoring lineup.

(RV) Women's Soccer will open its home schedule at 1 p.m., hosting Walla Walla University at Community Stadium. The Mountaineers enter the matchup with a 4-1-1 record after preseason victories over Pacific, Saint Martin's, Bethel, and Stanton. The Wolves enter at 0-1 after falling to Whitman College, along with two additional preseason scrimmages. Last season, EOU defeated Walla Walla 5-1 on the road during the Wolves' inaugural season.

(RV) Men's Soccer will take the pitch at 3:30 p.m. following the women's match. The Mountaineers enter with a 0-1-2 preseason record, earning draws against No. 3 Indiana Tech and Northwestern Ohio while falling to (RV) Spring Arbor. Walla Walla enters with an 0-3 preseason record after losses to Saint Martin's, Simpson, and Linfield. EOU owns a perfect 10-0 all-time record against the Wolves, including a 3-1 victory on the road last season.

Friday is Pups at the Pitch for both soccer matches, so bring your four-legged friends and cheer on the Mounties!

No. 1 Volleyball will also hit the road Friday, traveling to Eugene to face (RV) Bushnell University. The Mountaineers enter the weekend after a 2-0 home-opening weekend, sweeping No. 18 Southern Oregon and Oregon Tech to remain undefeated at 15-0 overall and 4-0 in CCC play. The Beacons also enter at 9-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play after sweeping Evergreen and Northwest last weekend, and upsetting No.4 Corban in the first week of CCC play. EOU holds a 35-2 all-time record against Bushnell, including 3-0 victories at home and on the road last season. The Beacons' last win over the Mountaineers came in 2012.

Saturday, September 19
Football will open Frontier Conference East-West Division crossover play, traveling to North Dakota to face Frontier East opponent Valley City State University at 2 p.m. CT. Eastern Oregon enters after a dominant 51-17 victory over Whitworth, giving Head Coach Solo Taylor his first win at the helm of the program and improving the Mountaineers to 1-1. Valley City State also enters at 1-1 after earning a 28-25 victory over (RV) Dickinson State on Sept. 3. The Mountaineers and Vikings met for the first time last season, with EOU falling 3-0 in a game decided by a single field goal.

No. 1 Volleyball will continue its road trip Saturday in Salem, taking on No. 4 Corban University. The Warriors enter at 10-3 overall and 3-1 in CCC play after sweeping Northwest and Evergreen last weekend. Corban's lone conference loss came against Bushnell during the opening week of CCC play. EOU owns a 36-12 all-time record against the Warriors. The teams split their regular-season meetings last year, with the Mountaineers winning 3-1 at home before falling 1-3 on the road. EOU then earned a 3-0 victory over Corban in the CCC Tournament to capture the conference championship.

Sunday, September 20
(RV) Women's Soccer will close out the home weekend Sunday, hosting Warner Pacific University at 10:30 a.m. The Knights enter with a 1-1-1 record, tying Simpson, falling to Saint Martin's, and defeating Pacific University. Since 2006, EOU owns a 15-3 all-time record against Warner Pacific, with its last loss to the Knights coming in 2011. The Mountaineers defeated WPU 2-0 on the road last season.

The (RV) Men's Soccer team will follow at 1 p.m. The No. 20 Knights enter with a 2-1-1 preseason record, earning wins over Arizona Christian and Linfield, a draw against Embry-Riddle, and a loss to Stanton. EOU owns a 6-5 all-time record against Warner Pacific and has defeated the Knights in each of the last two seasons, including a 2-1 victory last year.

Sunday is Pack the Pitch! Grab your friends, pack the stands, and bring the energy as the Mounties close out the weekend at home!