The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has finalized its 2026 men’s soccer postseason honors, headlined by UW-Stevens Point’s Jaxon Buckley as Offensive Player of the Year. The selection, announced following the conclusion of the regular season, recognizes top performers across a campaign that saw UW-Platteville claim their first WIAC regular-season title since 2012.
Buckley and Platteville Earn Top Conference Honors
- Buckley’s Rising Stock: With 14 goals and six game-winning goals, Buckley has been named the WIAC Offensive Player of the Year.
- Coaching Stability: The UW-Platteville staff, led by head coach Jesse Tinney, was named the Coaching Staff of the Year after directing the squad to its first WIAC regular-season title since 2012.
Buckley’s Offensive Dominance and Tactical Precision
Jaxon Buckley’s ascent to Offensive Player of the Year was underpinned by a clinical efficiency that separated him from the field. Recording 14 goals and 28 points, Buckley’s output was not merely a product of volume but of performance in critical moments. His two hat tricks—against Beloit College on September 15 and Carthage College on October 27—demonstrated a “clutch” factor, as evidenced by his conference-leading six game-winning goals.
Buckley leads the WIAC with 14 goals and six game-winning goals, providing a consistent offensive presence for Stevens Point. His progression from Co-Newcomer of the Year in 2025 to the conference’s top offensive weapon in 2026 marks one of the most significant individual developments in the WIAC this season.
Goalkeepers Share Top Conference Defensive Honors
In a rare split decision, UW-Platteville’s Connor Waite and UW-Whitewater’s Austin Waite shared Goalkeeper of the Year honors. This co-selection highlights the parity in defensive excellence across the league. Austin Waite led the conference with a 0.83 goals-against-average (GAA) and a .827 save percentage, proving to be a nightmare for opposing strikers attempting to break down Whitewater’s defensive shell.
Conversely, Connor Waite’s role in Platteville’s title-winning campaign was defined by consistency. With five shutouts and a 1.00 GAA, he provided the foundational security that allowed Westley Hankes to operate as a dual-threat defender. Hankes, the Defensive Player of the Year, contributed five goals and four assists while anchoring a Pioneer defense that posted seven shutouts.
| Player | School | Key Statistic | Honor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaxon Buckley | UW-Stevens Point | 14 Goals | Offensive POY |
| Westley Hankes | UW-Platteville | 0.94 GAA (Team) | Defensive POY |
| Austin Waite | UW-Whitewater | 0.83 GAA | GK of the Year |
Platteville’s Strategic Pivot to the Regular-Season Title
The coaching staff at UW-Platteville, featuring head coach Jesse Tinney and assistant coaches Tom Corcoran and Brandon Pink, earned top honors for orchestrating the program’s first WIAC regular-season title since 2012.
The Newcomer Vanguard
Aisen Witter of UW-Stevens Point claimed Newcomer of the Year honors, signaling a successful injection of fresh talent into the conference. Witter’s 0.68 GAA and .882 save percentage in nine starts demonstrate a high ceiling for the young keeper.
