Furman Picked as Preseason Favorite in 2026 SoCon Men’s Soccer Poll

SPARTANBURG, SC – Defending champion Furman was picked as the preseason favorite in the 2026 SoCon Men’s Soccer poll released Monday afternoon by the league office.

The SoCon’s seven head coaches voted on the poll and selected a preseason All-Conference team as well. Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team or players.

Furman forged a 16-2-5 record and went undefeated in conference play last season en route to the program’s first berth in the College Cup. New head coach Brandon Tucker was hired to take over the lead role after serving nine seasons on staff alongside Furman Hall of Famer Doug Allison. Allison, who retired following last year’s sterling run after 31 seasons, posted a program-record 365 career wins and 11 NCAA appearances. The Furman coaching staff was named the 2025 United Soccer Coaches National Staff of the Year.

The Paladins return all 11 starters from its College Cup roster, including 2025 SoCon Player of the Year Diego Hernandez, SoCon Goalkeeper of the Year Ivan Horvat, and SoCon Freshman of the Year Braden Dunham. A wealth of returning talent vaulted Furman into the top 3 nationally in two major preseason national polls, with Top Drawer Soccer rating the 2026 edition second in its initial August 6 rankings.

Furman received four of the seven first-place votes and 34 overall points, just ahead of UNC Greensboro (31). The Spartans also return a high level of experience from their 12-win team, which combined a top-5 win with two draws against top-10 teams during the 2025 regular season. UNCG advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 before falling on the road to national runner-up NC State.

The Spartans earned a pair of first-place votes and are ranked as high as No. 11 in the preseason national rankings after going wire-to-wire in the national top 25 during the 2025 season under Coach Chris Rich.

SoCon newcomer Liberty (24 points) garnered the final first-place vote and is third in the preseason poll, just one point in front of Mercer (23 points). The Flames are in their first season as an associate member in men’s soccer after playing in the OVC. Wofford (15 points), ETSU (13 points), and VMI (7 points) rounded out the rankings.

Furman led the All-SoCon team with six selections, paced by Hernandez and Dunham. Horvat also earned a spot, alongside forward Wilfer Bustamante, midfielder Luke Hutzell, and defender Ryan Wagner. All six Paladins were members of the 2025 All-SoCon team last November.

UNCG was next with three selections. Veteran goalkeeper Seth Wilson was joined by forward Steven Hernandez and defender Mohammed Sumaila. Wofford forward Declan Mettee and midfielder Max Talley, alongside Mercer defender Eli Bannister rounded out the team – which features five seniors and four juniors.

All seven SoCon teams open the 2026 season on Thursday, Aug. 20.

2026 SoCon Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll

1. Furman, 34 (4)

2. UNC Greensboro, 31 (2)

3. Liberty, 24 (1)

4. Mercer, 23

5. Wofford, 15

6. ETSU, 13

7. VMI, 7

2026 SoCon Preseason Men’s Soccer All-Conference Team

F – Wilfer Bustamante, Jr., Furman

F – Steven Hernandez, R-Sr., UNC Greensboro

F – Declan Mettee, Sr., Wofford

M – Diego Hernandez, Sr., Furman

M – Luke Hutzell, Jr., Furman

M – Max Talley, Sr., Wofford

D – Braden Dunham, So., Furman

D – Eli Bannister, So., Mercer

D – Mohammed Sumaila, Jr., UNC Greensboro

D – Ryan Wagner, Jr., Furman

G – Seth Wilson, R-Sr., UNC Greensboro

G – Ivan Horvat, R-So., Furman

2026 Opening Night Schedule (Thursday, August 20)

ETSU at Queens (Charlotte, NC, 6:00 pm ET)

VMI at Elon (Elon, NC, 7:00 pm ET)

Wofford at Gardner-Webb (Boiling Springs, NC, 7:00 pm ET)

Florida Atlantic at Mercer (Macon, GA, 7:00 pm ET)

VCU at #11 UNC Greensboro (Greensboro, NC, 7:00 pm ET)

#2 Furman at Clemson (Clemson, SC, 7:00 pm ET)

Liberty at San Diego State (San Diego, CA, 10:00 pm ET)