Kansas City, MO – The UC Men's Soccer team opens the 2026 season ranked #4 in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the national office this afternoon. 

The Patriots wrapped up the 2025 season with an overall record of 9-6-6 and a 5-1 mark in Mid-South Conference play. Cumberlands advanced to the NAIA Final Site and reached the NAIA Semifinals for the second consecutive year. UC also closed the year ranked #4 nationally, marking the second straight season the Patriots finished inside the top four. 

The Patriots join #10 Bethel (Tenn.), #14 Cumberland (Tenn.), and #18 Lindsey Wilson as the four Mid-South Conference programs represented in the poll. Defending national champion Grand View (Iowa) leads the rankings after receiving 19 first-place votes, followed by WV Tech (W. Va.) and MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.). 

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