INDIANAPOLIS – The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) announced the results of the 2026 Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll on Wednesday, with defending conference champion Tiffin narrowly earning the top spot after receiving 91 points and five first-place votes.
The Dragons edged Cedarville by a single point as the Yellow Jackets also garnered five first-place votes and finished with 90 points, setting the stage for what is expected to be another competitive season. Kentucky Wesleyan collected the remaining first-place vote and finished third with 73 points, followed closely by Findlay (72) and Lake Erie (69) to round out the top five.
For the Dragons, Zach Garcia is a top returner after starting in all 20 games for Tiffin. The London, England native recorded the second-most assists during the 2025 season at eight. Second-team all-conference selections Anelson Azard and goalkeeper Nick Cherry are also set to return for TU as the Dragons look to win their fifth conference championship.
The Yellow Jackets had a historic 2025 season, cracking the United Soccer Coaches Poll for 10 consecutive weeks and earning a bid to Super Region 3. Coach of the Year Brett Faro returns Eben Dewhurst, who was voted the Goalkeeper of the Year last season. Dewhurst appeared in 17 games, giving up just nine goals on the year with a goals-against average of 0.53. He registered a save percentage of 0.795 and finished his junior campaign with a 10-2-5 record. One of the league’s top freshmen Christian Nardelli returns after appearing in 21 games and scoring five goals for CU. He added a pair of assists to finish the year with 12 points. Midfielder Yonis Velasquez is also another top returner after being voted second-team all-conference last season.
Kentucky Wesleyan returns a depth of talent after advancing to the conference championship last season. Jhaeem Bryan, a first-team selection, anchored a defense that gave up just 24 goals last season. Bryan and the KWC defense allowed only 92 shots-on-goal last season. Alongside Bryan, Jersey Lopez and Braeden Myers-Curry round out all-conference returners for the Panthers.
Thomas More was picked sixth with 63 points, while Ashland (43), Walsh (35), Ohio Dominican (33), Northwood (19) and Malone (16) completed the preseason poll.
The 2026 Great Midwest men's soccer season begins later this month, with conference play opening in September. The regular season champion and conference tournament champion will once again battle for the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division II Men's Soccer Championship.
2026 Great Midwest Men's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll
| Rank |
School |
Points |
| 1. |
Tiffin (5 first-place votes) |
91 |
| 2. |
Cedarville (5 first-place votes) |
90 |
| 3. |
Kentucky Wesleyan (1 first-place vote) |
73 |
| 4. |
Findlay |
72 |
| 5. |
Lake Erie |
69 |
| 6. |
Thomas More |
63 |
| 7. |
Ashland |
43 |
| 8. |
Walsh |
35 |
| 9. |
Ohio Dominican |
33 |
| 10. |
Northwood |
19 |
| 11. |
Malone |
16 |