As revealed by the Great Midwest Athletic Conference on Wednesday (Aug. 12) afternoon, Ashland University's men's soccer team has been chosen to finish in seventh place in the circuit in 2026.
"Polls are polls," said Eagle head coach
Nick Roberts. "I don't think anybody really knows who's going to have what this season. It all gets done, at the end of the day, by the results on the field during the season."
Ashland men's soccer ended the 2025 season at 4-9-4 overall and 3-8-3 in the Great Midwest.
The Eagles feature the reigning Great Midwest Freshman of the Year in sophomore forward
Tom Woodward, who led the Eagles last fall in goals (eight), assists (five) and points (21).
Tiffin tops the 2026 preseason poll with 91 voting points and five first-place votes – narrowly beating out second-place Cedarville (90 voting points, five first-place votes). Kentucky Wesleyan is picked third with 73 voting points and a first-place vote.
Ashland won a Great Midwest Tournament championship in 2022, and finished second during the Great Midwest regular season twice (2022, 2024).
The Eagles' 2026 season will open at home at Ferguson Field on Aug. 27 at 3 p.m. vs. Davis & Elkins. Ashland's conference opener is Sept. 10 at 3:30 p.m. at Tiffin.
2026 GREAT MIDWEST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE MEN'S SOCCER COACHES' PRESEASON POLL
1. Tiffin – 91 points (5 first-place votes)
2. Cedarville – 90 points (5 first-place votes)
3. Kentucky Wesleyan – 73 points (1 first-place vote)
4. Findlay – 72 points
5. Lake Erie – 69 points
6. Thomas More – 63 points
7. ASHLAND UNIVERSITY – 43 points
8. Walsh – 35 points
9. Ohio Dominican – 33 points
10. Northwood – 19 points
11. Malone – 16 points
