Taylor’s Homecoming Weekend not only prompts parents, siblings and alumni to visit campus, but it also ushers in a number of rival sports teams, leaving the Trojans with more fans in the stands than usual.
No. 17 men’s and No. 11 women’s cross country will kick off the homecoming weekend on Friday, Oct. 9 with the Ray Bullock Invitational. The meet will be their first opportunity to host at the TUXC Farm. As of Oct. 6, the complete list of team participants is unreleased.
During the 2025 season, the women secured a 24-point win, outscoring Indiana Wesleyan’s score of 67. Then-sophomore Jaynie Halterman led the Trojans with an individual win, finishing over a minute ahead of second place. Then-junior Sam Patterson finished third. This year, Halterman will not be competing due to injury. As the first-finisher for the Trojans at the first two meets of the 2026 season, Patterson looks to lead the Maddawgs at home.
Last year, the men’s side secured a close-second with a score of 32. They fell only to Crossroads League competitor IWU. The Wildcats totaled 39 points. Individually, Nathan Burns placed ninth. The returning senior has led the Jarheads this season, followed by senior Jordan Burden.
Men’s soccer will face CL rival Marian on Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. The Trojans hold a 6-5-2 overall record and a 0-4 conference record, coming off a five-game loss streak. The Knights are 11-2 overall, with an opposite CL record of 4-0 and five-game win streak prior to competing at Turner Field. Taylor combines the Homecoming game with Senior Day to honor goalkeeper Bryce Medina, forward Matt Yoder, forward Dafe Akpoguma and midfielder Edrick Mugisha.
No. 13 Taylor volleyball takes on No. 7 Indiana Wesleyan, after losing to the Wildcats in a five-set battle on Sept 2. IWU’s Aubree Deschetsky has been headlining for the Wildcats, with the freshman earning her first CL Attacker-of-the-Week award on Sept. 28.
Two Trojans collected CL honors the same day. Freshman Azure Flagle was named Defender of the Week, while senior Margo Hernandez received her fourth Setter-of-the-Week award. With national rankings and conference recognition behind them, the local rivals will match up on Oct. 10 in Odle Arena at 3 p.m.
After the soccer game, Turner Stadium will turn from fútbol to football at 7 p.m. on Oct. 10. The Trojans will take on Saint Mary-of-the-Woods for the first time in program history, as SMWC joined the Mid-States Football Association this year.
Football sits at a 3-2 record, with both losses coming from ranked CL members: No. 17 Olivet Nazarene and No. 10 Marian. SWMC comes off a loss at their own homecoming on Oct. 3, where Madonna triumphed.
