The Calvin University men's soccer team was predicted to finish first MIAA Men's Soccer Preseason Poll released by the conference on Tuesday.
The Knights finished the poll with 48 total points and six (out of seven possible) first-place votes. Hope College finished second in the poll with 44 points and two first-place votes.
Calvin finished the 2025 season with a record of 17-4-1 overall and 5-1-1 in MIAA play, good for a tie for second place in the final league standings. The Knights went on the win the MIAA Men's Soccer Tournament and advanced to round two of the NCAA III Tournament before falling in the round of 32 to Messiah University.
Under the direction of head coach
Ryan Souders, the Knights enter the 2026 campaign with a strong collection of returners, including 2025 United Soccer Coaches All-American
Matt Torrell (Rochester, N.Y./The Charles Finney School/Liberty University), who was also named MIAA Most Valuable Player after scoring 15 goals and adding eight assists.
Other returners include 2025 All-MIAA honorees
Hans Pruis (Grand Rapids, Mich./Grand Rapids Christian),
Jake Ziolo (Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Jerome) and
Will Lanham (Commerce Township, Mich./Pontiac Notre Dame Prep).
Zac Brooks (Lone Tree, Colo./Valor Christian/Cedarville University) also returns after earning United Soccer Coaches' All-Region honors.
Calvin will open the 2026 season at Aurora University on Tuesday, September 1. The Knights' first MIAA match is scheduled for October 7 at Adrian College.
The full results of the preseason poll are below:
1. Calvin University (48 points, 6 first-place votes)
2. Hope College (44, 2)
3. Albion College (35)
4. Adrian College (29)
5. Kalamazoo College (26)
T6. Alma College (15)
T6. Trine University (15)
8. The University of Olivet (12)
