Forward Nyle Waugh (19) celebrates with a teammate after scoring a goal. Ohio State beat Northern Kentucky 5-0 on Sept. 3, 2026. Credit: Rocco Donnelly | Freelance Photographer.

Ohio State men’s soccer entered the season with plenty of new faces.?

Fifteen, to be exact.?

Six new players joined the Buckeyes in January before nine more arrived ahead of the fall season. Despite adding 15 newcomers, Ohio State has quickly built chemistry on and off the field, helping the No. 3 Buckeyes start 5-0-1 and adjust even with senior forward Isaiah Chisolm, Ohio State’s leading scorer, out of the lineup the last two games.

“They’ve definitely really got along really well, really quickly,” head coach Brian Maisonneuve said. “We’ve had that in the past, but this group has really come along really quickly.”

For the 13 returning players, building relationships with the newcomers was a priority before the season began.

Senior defender and team captain Andre Roberts said the Buckeyes continuously made an effort throughout the spring and summer to spend time together away from soccer, whether it was through team meals, mini golf and other activities.

“We’ve definitely done it in the past, but I think this year, putting a special emphasis on it has helped,” Roberts said.?

Roberts said those relationships have translated to working better together within field lines.?

“Once you have those closer relationships off the field, it lets you get on people and demand more from them on the field,” Roberts said.?

Maisonneuve credited the newcomers and returning players for how swiftly the group has come together.

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been here for four years, five years or if you’re new, it’s our team,” Maisonneuve said.?

That chemistry has been tested recently with Chisolm out of the lineup in the Buckeyes’ previous two matchups against Kentucky and Wisconsin.?

Roberts said the Buckeyes have adjusted by building out of the back and attacking through wider areas rather than playing with Chisolm as an offensive centerpiece.

“We all know each other’s strengths and weaknesses and kind of change the way we play,” Roberts said.?

Roberts said continuing to build off one another will be important as the Buckeyes move through Big Ten play. Ohio State tied its first game in conference play against No. 8 Wisconsin.?

“There’s going to be ups and downs,” Roberts said. “Just knowing that if we stay the course and stay together, we’ll get where we want to be in the end.”?

Ohio State will return to Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium Friday at 7 p.m. to host Rutgers in its Big Ten home opener.