Calvin University has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2025 MIAA Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll. The Knights collected six of the eight possible first-place votes and nine points overall.

Hope College was picked second with 12 points and two first-place nods, while Trine University was chosen third with 19 points. Albion College (28 points) and Adrian College (29 points) rounded out the top five.

Calvin looks to build on a 2024 campaign where it went 4-1-2 in MIAA play and 14-6-2 overall. Calvin finished third in the final MIAA regular season standings as its 17-year streak as MIAA regular season champions came to a close. The Knights entered last year's league tournament as the No. 3 seed and went on to claim the 2024 MIAA Tournament championship.

Head coach Ryan Souders, at the helm of the program since 2012, earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors for the second-straight season. He brings back multiple key contributors, including midfielder Jake Ziolo, who claimed All-MIAA First Team recognition as a freshman. Other notable returnees include graduate student goalkeeper Zac Moore who shared starting goalkeeping duties last fall. Senior winger Jonah Meyer-Crothers has been a regular starter over the last three years and returns for his final campaign. Junior outside back Osiel Peguero is a key returner on defense after starting in 13 games in 2024.

The midfield includes a good group of returning letterwinners. Junior Hans Pruis and sophomores Colin Nieuwenhuis and James Jackson all provide a strong base of experience. Nieuwenhuis is Calvin's top returning scorer. He tallied six goals, three assists and 15 points in 2024. He netted a late game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory at rival Hope in the 2024 MIAA Tournament semifinals. Three of his six goals were game-winning strikes. The Knights also bring in a talented group of newcomers that include transfers and incoming freshmen.

Calvin opens its season on August 29 and 30 at the Calvin Soccer Stadium. The Knights host Milwaukee School of Engineering on August 29 and Ohio Wesleyan on August 30 which will renew a long-standing non-conference regional rivalry. Calvin will host DePauw University on September 27 in front of a Calvin Homecoming crowd.

The Knights open their MIAA campaign on October 7 at rival Hope College.

2025 MIAA Men's Soccer Preseason Poll:
1. Calvin University - 9 points (6 first-place votes)
2. Hope College - 12 points (2 first-place votes)
3. Trine University - 19 points
4. Albion College - 28 points
5. Adrian College - 29 points
6. Kalamazoo College - 35 points
7. Alma College - 45 points
8. The University of Olivet - 47 points