RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. - A pair of nationally ranked clubs are only separated by one point atop the 2026 GAC/MIAA men's soccer coaches' poll. Defending regular season and tournament champion Fort Hays State earned four first place votes to end with 34 points. Rogers State grabbed the other three first place votes to finish one point behind the poll with 33 points.
Newman and Southern Nazarene tied for third place with Northeastern State, Ouachita Baptist, and Harding rounding out the coaches' balloting.
Fort Hays State comes off a stellar 20-1-3 (11-0-1 GAC/MIAA) campaign and a Division II national semifinal run. The Tigers open at No. 3 in the national preseason poll. Head coach Alex Nichols (33-5-7 in two seasons) brings back All-American goalkeeper Payton Roehrich (GAC/MIAA Newcomer of the Year) and all-region forward Juan Linares, while bolstering the attack with NJCAA All-American transfer Len Valkema.
Rogers State (14-4-5, 8-2-2) sits at No. 6 nationally following an NCAA quarterfinal berth in 2025. Coach Jake Simpson enjoyed a magical season in his debut campaign, and the Hillcats return serious star power led by first team all-conference forward Louis Bassett, alongside second team all-conference selections Oliver Hemlin (M), Hayden Parker (M), and goalkeeper Jaxon Kendall.
Newman's Jets (7-5-7, 4-4-4) aim for their third straight conference tournament spot under coach Victor Domingues. Midfield control remains the centerpiece behind all-region performers Yosuke Ono and Daiki Okada, boosted by defender Gael Gonzalez returning from a medical redshirt.
Head coach Trevor Harman’s Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm (6-8-3, 4-6-2) aim to re-establish a contender's profile. Defender Tiago Moreira and honorable mention all-conference pick Jordy Vasquez lead the backline, with honorable mention all-conference midfielder Francisco Chong controlling the tempo.
Northeastern State head coach Rob Czlonka’s squad (8-8-3, 5-6-1) features second team all-conference defender Ethan Van Dusen and honorable mention goalkeeper Cameron McCollach, while all-region forward Carter Adams looks to ignite the attack. The Riverhawks take aim at another GAC/MIAA post-season tournament spot after qualifying in 2025.
Ouachita Baptist (6-9-3, 4-7-1) will rely on first team all-conference midfielder Andy Castellanos, alongside key contributors Jack Langford and Ryan Armijo. Wes Holifield's Tigers were one of the league's most-improved clubs in 2025, ending the season on a 5-2-1 run over the final eight matches.
New Harding head coach Thom Jacquet leads a rebuilding Bisons side (2-14-2, 0-11-1), while leaning on top scorer Nojus Grudis, midfielder Hayden Teixeira, and forward Reik Barrack to spur the offense. Jacquet won over 410 matches and six Georgia high school state championships at Greater Atlanta Christian before returning to his collegiate alma mater.
The regular season champion hosts the GAC/MIAA conference tournament November 5-7 with the top four squads qualifying for the event. The season kicks off Thursday, September 27 with non-conference play around the league.
2026 GAC/MIAA MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
| Rank |
School |
Total Points |
1st-Place Votes |
| 1 |
Fort Hays State |
34 |
4 |
| 2 |
Rogers State |
33 |
3 |
| t3 |
Newman |
23 |
|
| t3 |
Southern Nazarene |
23 |
|
| 5 |
Northeastern State |
15 |
|
| 6 |
Ouachita Baptist |
13 |
|
| 7 |
Harding |
6 |
|