NO. ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Following a run to the NCAA Division II National Semifinal a year ago, the Southern New Hampshire University men's soccer team was chosen to capture its second league crown in three years when the NE10 Preseason Coaches' Poll was unveiled Wednesday.
SNHU gathered seven of nine possible first-place votes and 79 points to finish in the top spot. Bentley University, the defending NE10 Regular-Season Champions, earned one first-place vote and 70 points to squeak by defending NE10 Champion Franklin Pierce University, which claimed the remaining two first-place votes and 69 points. Adelphi University (57 points) finished in fourth place, while Southern Connecticut State University (49) placed fifth. Saint Michael's College (39) edged American International College (37) for sixth, with Saint Anselm College (24), Pace University (15) and Assumption University (11) rounding out the poll.
Josh Taylor will begin his 12th season as the head coach and is coming off a season in which the team finished 17-3-2, including 7-1-1 in the league, as it finished second during the regular season and bowed out in the NE10 Championship semifinals. The Penmen received an at-large bid to their 25th NCAA postseason and went a perfect 3-0-0 to capture the Super Region I title. That earned them a trip to Colorado Springs, Colo., where the season drew to a close in the National Semifinal.
The Penmen, ranked No. 4 in the United Soccer Coaches National Preseason Rankings, graduated their top three scorers from 2025, but return three of their top six and eight of their top 12. In total, 12 of 18 that contributed a point a year ago are back, with 79 of 169 points (47%) returning to the roster, including 54 percent (31-57) of the assists. Junior Gabriel Castro (León, Spain) and sophomore Felipe di Paola (Mar del Plata, Argentina) are the returning leading scorers after scoring six goals and dishing an assist for 13 points. Castro helped anchor the Penmen defense was a United Soccer Coaches All-America Second Team selection, while de Paola made the NE10 All-Conference Third Team as a rookie. Senior Charlie Preus (London, U.K.) is the other returning member of the squad to notch double-digit points last season after scoring four goals and handing out a pair of assists for 10 points. Graduate student Alejo Caceres (Cordoba, Argentina; 1g, 6a, 8p), who was a co-captain and NE10 Third Team pick last season, will add important leadership and production, as will senior Tyler Kraft (Londonderry, N.H; 2g, 4a, 8p).
Castro headlines a cast of five returning defenders that started at least 13 matches a year ago. Senior Alex Pons (Castellón, Spain; 1g, 4a, 6p), an All-Region First Team selection was the only Penmen to start all 22 matches and is joined by sophomore Gabi Barroso (A Coruña, Spain; 0g, 6a, 6p) and senior Eduardo Maia (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; 1g, 1a, 3p), who both claimed spots on the NE10 Third Team last year. Senior Inigo Iriarte (Pamplona, Spain; 2g, 2a, 6p) is also back after starting every match, except the nine he missed due to injury.
Graduate goalkeeper Alvaro Garcia (Castelldefels, Spain) started 21 of 22 matches last season, going 16-3-2 with eight shutouts, as the NE10 Second Teamer stopped 45 of 65 shots for a 0.98 goals-against average and .692 save percentage.
SNHU opens its 16-match schedule Thursday, Aug. 27 (2 p.m.) when it travels to St. Thomas Aquinas College. The Penmen open up their home slate Wednesday, Sept. 2 (4 p.m.) when they play host to Felician University at Ouellette Stadium. Be sure to check out @snhupenmen social media channels for the drop of the official 2026 schedule poster prior to the season opener.
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2026 NE10 Preseason Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll
1) Southern New Hampshire – 79 (7)
2) Bentley – 70 (1)
3) Franklin Pierce – 69 (2)
4) Adelphi – 57
5) Southern Connecticut – 49
6) Saint Michael's – 39
7) American International – 37
8) Saint Anselm – 24
9) Pace – 15
10) Assumption – 11
