2026 SimpleCoach Men’s Pre-Season Top 25
| Rank | School | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tufts | They are reloading, but don’t think the road to another national championship will be paved in gold. |
| 2 | Emory | Real solid senior class, and I am sure there will be some possible grad students that will have an immediate impact. Also think they have a serious chip on their shoulder…. Write up from the D3Soccer Boards – Moving onto Emory University who had the most successful campaign last year falling narrowly in the Final Four in a heartbreaker. They’ll lose top player Ignacio Cubeddu who lit up the conference last year and Josh Grand, the talented midfielder who’s been playing for them the past 4 years. They return a talented senior class with Logan Steren, Michael Constant, and of course UAA OPOY, Lorenzo Avalos. The question will be how Avalos returns from his injury in the post season. Emory has also brought in a number of division one transfers again this year which makes them even more formidable. While Emory lost a number of players to graduation, the reload with transfers and return of their core class of seniors, makes them formidable yet again this year. |
| 3 | Dickinson | Dropped to Emory in the Elite 8 on PKs. Think there is something going on at Dickinson where they have high ambitions and are recruting the right players to meet their desire to be a national program. Real strong Junior and talented class. They do lose leading scorers Saul Iwowo and Ethan Jarden but have plenty plenty of firepower that can step up and put the ball in the back of the net this year. |
| 4 | Bowdoin | Fell to the national champions, Tufts, in the NCAA Quarters last year. Lose All American Tyler Huck to graduation, but have a deep bench and a very prolific rising senior class, inlcuding All Region players Jack banks, Liam Banks, and Keito Ishibashi. The Nescac will be a battle but could be a contender. |
| 5 | Connecticut | Connecticut was so close last year. Fell in the Nescac champiosnhip to Tufts, then bowed out in the NCAAs to Bowdoin. Will have to figure out some pieces but returning some key leaders on the field with Captains forward Elliot Spatz, Max Haberman, along with Max Weiss, Gavin Mpiana and leading scorer Marco Perugini. Always a team that relied on the team and not so much individuals, but will still need these players to step up to get them over the hump. |
| 6 | St. Olaf | The Oles just finished a 20-3-3 season that included the MIAC regular-season title, a Final Four run, and a No. 3 ranking in the final United Soccer Coaches poll. They tied the program record for wins and reminded everyone they still belong among the true blue-bloods after the 2023 national title. What keeps them from higher is the reality of the roster. A decorated seven-man senior class that helped deliver three MIAC titles and four straight NCAA appearances is gone. That group carried a lot of the leadership, set-piece quality, and big-game experience. Justin Oliver has the culture and recruiting pipeline to reload, and there is still quality returning, but the drop-off in proven minutes is real. |
| 7 | Chicago | From D3Soccer Boards -UChicago returns most of its top players including first team All UAA midfielder Edward Wu. In addition, they bring back starting goalkeeper Ali Alamery who’s been impressive between the sticks and finished on the All Conference teams last year. UChicago also returns now sophomore striker, Giovanni Caselli, who led the lines for them last year and will look to get even better this year. A couple other players to watch includes Evan Kanellos, Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey, and Samuel Jimenez. UChicago lost senior attacking midfielder Kai Walsh so they’ll be looking to fill the gap there. I expect them to be fighting for the conference title yet again as they consistently do. |
| 8 | Washington | From D3Soccer Boards – Reigning UAA champions Washington University remain poised for another big season. Falling only to NCAA tournament runner ups, Trinity, WashU had an impressive campaign last fall. They’ll return conference defender of the year Quentin Gomez along with freshman of the year Daniel Kochen (who’s brother played at Barcelona and is now out on loan for all the USA fans out there) and of course forward Ethan Wirtschafter who had an outstanding campaign last season. A big loss for them will be winger Zach Susee who’s been a staple in their squad for the past few years, but WashU always finds talent and I suspect this years class will be no different. Starting goalkeeper Cal L’Hommedieu also returns in goal after two impressive seasons. While the UAA will be as competitive as ever, WashU has every chance to repeat. |
| 9 | Lynchburg | Lynchburg men’s soccer has every reason to open 2026 ranked in the Top 25 after a standout 19-2-2 season that produced a program-record 66 goals, a 20th ODAC championship, and a deep NCAA Tournament run to the round of 16. Anchored by First-Team All-Americans goalkeeper Thomas Viscuso and defender Benjamin Velasquez (a two-time All-American), plus Second-Team All-American midfielder Keaton Napior, the Hornets combined elite defense (0.522 goals-against average) with consistent scoring punch. With that core talent returning and a proven track record of national contention, Lynchburg belongs among the nation’s best teams to start the new season. |
| 10 | Eau Claire | UW-Eau Claire men’s soccer earned a preseason Top 25 ranking after a strong 13-3-4 campaign that included a second consecutive WIAC regular-season and tournament “double,” securing a fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid and a run to the second round. Anchored by Third-Team All-American defender and WIAC Defensive Player of the Year Carson Kowalski, the Blugolds combined a stingy defense with consistent production en route to 10 shutouts and another deep postseason appearance. With proven conference dominance and returning talent from a nationally competitive roster, Eau Claire belongs among the top programs to open the 2026 season. |
| 11 | Trinity (TX) | Losing D3 Player of the Year, Adam Knutsen will hurt. Still a deep bench but will need to show some leadership early on in the season, especially in early test in California against Claremong Mudd Scripps and Occidental. |
| 12 | Washington & Lee | Washington & Lee remains a consistent national contender after another deep postseason run, reaching the ODAC final for the fourth straight year and securing a 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. The Generals posted an 11-5-5 record with a stingy 0.62 goals-against average and 11 shutouts, powered by the two-way play of All-Region First Team selection Willy Hall and leading scorer Buster Couhig. With experienced returners like Spencer Furman and Matthew Jenkins anchoring the back line, W&L has the pedigree and depth to open the season inside the Top 25. |
| 13 | Augsburg | Augsburg exploded for a school-record 18 wins in 2025, finishing 18-3-3 and advancing all the way to the NCAA Elite Eight. The Auggies were led by a trio of All-Americans: First-Team forward Carver Tierney (who set program records with 20 goals and 46 points), Second-Team goalkeeper Christian Hodges, and Second-Team midfielder Mitchel Munzing. That combination of elite scoring, midfield control, and defensive reliability gives Augsburg a clear case for a high preseason ranking. |
| 14 | Denison | Denison quietly put together one of the stronger campaigns in the NCAC, finishing with a 14-3-3 mark and reaching the conference tournament final while earning a national ranking as high as No. 21. The Big Red were powered by First-Team All-American midfielder Kameron Kist and two-time All-American defender Henri Heyes, who combined for 14 goals and provided leadership on both ends of the field. With that experienced core returning, Denison has the talent and recent postseason pedigree to warrant Top 25 consideration. |
| 15 | Middlebury | Middlebury once again proved it belongs among the NESCAC’s elite, finishing 10-6-2, reaching the conference semifinals, and advancing in the NCAA Tournament with a first-round win. The Panthers generated consistent attacking pressure (led by Will Sawin, who paced the team with nine goals and 22 points) while featuring All-Region talent like Gavin Randolph. Their ability to compete with the top programs in one of the nation’s strongest conferences makes a strong argument for inclusion in the preseason Top 25. |
| 16 | Williams | Williams continued its run of deep NCAA appearances by reaching the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season, finishing 10-5-4 and earning a ranking as high as No. 10 during the year. The Ephs mixed experience with emerging talent, including NESCAC Rookie of the Year JJ Ruehlemann, and showed the ability to knock off strong opponents on the road. That combination of recent tournament success and returning contributors positions Williams as a legitimate Top 25 team heading into 2026. |
| 17 | Cortland | Change to two divisions in the SUNYAC will make 2026 for the conference, but I think Cortland will keep on rolling along. After losing to Augsburg last year in a controversial round of PKs |
| 18 | Christopher Newport | Christopher Newport closed 2025 ranked No. 24 after a 13-3-5 season that included a Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference championship and a return to the NCAA Tournament, where the Captains advanced to the second round. Their defense ranked among the nation’s best, allowing just 0.76 goals per game, while sophomore defender Carson Friedlein earned All-Region honors and midfielders Barry Jones and Asher Kuzemka added further regional recognition. With a proven conference title and consistent national ranking, CNU has a solid foundation to open 2026 in the Top 25. |
| 19 | Scranton | Scranton’s 2025 season was defined by historic defensive dominance—the Royals allowed just four goals all year, finished 13-1-6, went unbeaten in Landmark play, and claimed the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 2016. First-Team All-American defender Logan Campbell (Landmark Defensive Player of the Year) and Third-Team All-American goalkeeper Charlie Smith (who led the nation in goals-against average and save percentage) formed the backbone of that unit. With that level of organization and experience returning, Scranton has a strong case to open 2026 inside the Top 25. |
| 20 | Babson | Babson continued its run of consistent excellence by capturing a second straight NEWMAC title and earning a seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament berth, finishing 11-7-4. Forward Alexander Yablonovskiy led the attack with 10 goals and earned Scholar All-America recognition, while the Beavers once again showed the ability to compete with the region’s best. Their sustained success in a tough conference and proven postseason pedigree make them a logical Top 25 candidate to start the new season. |
| 21 | Wheaton | Wheaton put together one of the best seasons in program history, going 17-2-4, claiming the NEWMAC regular-season title with an unbeaten conference mark, and advancing all the way to the NCAA Elite Eight. The Lyons featured a balanced attack and strong defensive structure that kept them ranked in the national Top 10 for much of the year. With proven winners and recent deep tournament experience, Wheaton belongs among the preseason elite. |
| 22 | Catholic | My surprise team. Loaded with Sophomores, relatively young but a very strong senior class. Catholic quietly assembled one of the stronger campaigns in the Landmark Conference, finishing with a high winning percentage and reaching the NCAA Tournament’s second round. Senior forward Holden Woodings earned First-Team All-America honors after leading the conference in scoring for the second straight year and delivering key goals in big moments. Supported by a deep group of All-Region performers, the Cardinals have the talent and recent success to justify a Top 25 ranking. |
| 23 | Rowan | Rowan repeated as NJAC champions and reached the NCAA Sweet 16 while finishing 17-4-4 and ranking as high as No. 2 nationally during the season. Two-time All-American and NJAC Offensive Player of the Year Johnny Troiano powered the attack with 25 goals, while the Profs showed the balance and depth to win both conference and national tournament games. That combination of star power and proven winning culture positions Rowan firmly in the preseason Top 25 conversation. |
| 24 | Macalester | Macalester enjoyed a breakthrough year, winning the MIAC Playoff title, finishing 17-5, and advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16 for one of the strongest seasons in program history. Second-Team All-Americans Ondieki Maina and Kasdan Blattman led a balanced attack that produced the second-most wins in school history. With that momentum and returning talent from a Sweet 16 squad, the Scots have earned serious consideration for a Top 25 start in 2026. |
| 25 | Gustavus Adolphus | Gustavus Adolphus finished 14-6-1 and reached the NCAA Tournament after a competitive MIAC campaign highlighted by a strong attacking duo. Junior forward Joe Flory led the conference with seven game-winning goals and 14 total scores while earning All-Region and Academic All-America honors, and freshman Kieran Mahan added 12 goals and Rookie of the Year recognition. That offensive firepower, combined with postseason experience, gives the Gusties a legitimate claim to a preseason Top 25 ranking. |
The NCAA has Hope College ranked #9. You don’t have them in your top 25?
Hi Michael. Thanks for the comment. I like Hope. I watched them take care of Wabash in convincing fashion. I do have them on my radar but need to see more out them. Think if they dispatch DePauw and Chicago, they will definitely be in consideration of the Top 25.
GAC vs MAC game was actually postponed over the weekend due to weather delays. They finished the balance of game yesterday evening, resulting in a 1-0 Win for the Gusties. That said, it was a very even game.
Who do you like in the Dennison v. Mary Washington game?
This is most definitely a tough one. I think Denison is peaking at the right time, and Mary Washington has been pretty dominant. I am going to go with Mary Washington. Am thinking this may be their year.
The shadow of Dave Brandt is finally waning and exposing the Machine that was Messiah Mens Soccer. Dave Brandt has shown that he can coach. He has adapted, and delivered success at different levels and programs. HIs successful runs at Messiah perpetuated a system that was based upon the ability to recruit talent that far surpassed the division. Messiah could effectively do what they wanted, and bullied other schools. Brad McCarty inherited this reality, and simply ran the same system year after year. However, the world has changed. D3 soccer is not what it was, and there is a new and emerging parity that never existed. The talent will only increase as D1 roster limits drive players that normally would have happily held bloated roster spots at a D1 program out to other divisions. Brad McCarty is showing his limited coaching ability and his inability to adapt. Messiah has always been predictable, but teams still couldn’t match the talent. Now that the talent can be and is matched – Messiah must adapt to survive. However, the inability…… and honestly the arrogance of McCarty is on full display. Teams must adapt, and coaches must make adjustments based on personnel. However, the theme at Messiah is to force players into the system, which leads to great talents only getting worse under McCarty’s direction. As one example, look at the phenomena of Matt McDonald. He took the nation by storm his Senior year to win the NPOY – only to return for a 5th season to turn in a year that was lackluster at best……this reality was based on the country knowing who he was, adjusting to cover him (man marking and doubling), and McCarty not adjusting shape or scheme to take advantage of his amazing talent. Instead – the same system is run, and one man (even a NPOY) cannot be greater than his algorithm. The bloom is coming off the rose…and I think questions will continue about Brad McCarty. At minimum, the soccer world should be wondering why he was suspended from coaching this past spring for knowledge of and inappropriate reporting and handling of hazing traditions within his team.
Messiah creating confusion is a kind descriptor….I think this culture may be showing that it is more cult than anything……..Saying that, I wont entirely count them out – as they should be able, in spite of their challenges be able to at least bully the MAC and have success win conference….time will tell.