Men's Soccer | 8/21/2026 11:07:00 AM

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Barry Buccaneers were tabbed to finish seventh in the 2026 Sunshine State Conference men's soccer preseason coaches' poll, after a sixth-place finish last year.

Lynn University has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the championship, according to the SSC coaches.

2025 SSC Standings | 2025 SSC Stats

The Fighting Knights received five first-place votes and 16 points to earn the top spot. Palm Beach Atlantic was picked second four first-place votes and 19 points, while Rollins received the remaining two first-place votes with 29 points and finished third in the poll.

Barry went 4-4-2 in conference last season, 5-6-4 overall. They have 14 returning players, and added six transfers in January, seven more transfers in August and five first-year players.

Lynn enters the 2026 season following a 15-2-2 campaign and the 2025 SSC Men's Soccer Tournament championship. The Fighting Knights also feature the conference's 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, Dominik N'gatie, who led the league in goals (14) and points (31).

Palm Beach Atlantic, the 2025 SSC regular-season champion, is ranked second. The Sailfish posted an 8-0-2 conference record and a 13-3-2 overall mark last season.

Rollins, who advanced to the NCAA Division II men's soccer championship match in 2025 was selected third, followed by Florida Tech in fourth and Nova Southeastern in fifth. Tampa was sixth, with Barry seventh. Saint Leo was picked eighth, followed by Florida Southern, Embry-Riddle and Eckerd.

Rollins ranks second in the 2026 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II preseason men's poll, released on August 4. Lynn is number eight with Palm Beach Atlantic at number 12. Florida Tech checks in at number 22. 

Lynn, Palm Beach Atlantic and Rollins all received bids to the 40-team 2025 NCAA DII Men's Soccer Tournament.

The 2026 SSC Men's Soccer regular season starts on Thursday, August 27.

FULL SSC SCHEDULE

The Coaches' Poll is listed below. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own institution.

2026 SSC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll