Men's Soccer 8/20/2026 11:10:00 AM

Mississippi Christian Picked Second in GSC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll

CLINTON, Miss. — Mississippi Christian University has been picked to finish second in the 2026 Gulf South Conference men's soccer standings, while leading the league with three selections to the GSC Preseason All-Conference Team, the conference announced Thursday.

The Choctaws received 90 points and six first-place votes in the preseason coaches poll, finishing just behind AUM, which collected 94 points and four first-place votes. Christian Brothers placed third with 77 points and one first-place vote.

Mississippi Christian enters the 2026 season after finishing as the GSC Tournament runner-up in 2025 and advancing to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

The Choctaws' three preseason all-conference selections are senior defender Gage Sorey, junior defender Alvaro Pena and sophomore midfielder Luke Nolan.

Sorey earned First Team All-GSC honors in 2025, while Pena was a Second Team All-GSC selection. Sorey returns as one of the league's top defensive players after helping lead Mississippi Christian through a historic postseason run a season ago.

Mississippi Christian's three selections were the most of any team in the conference. AUM, UAH, Christian Brothers, Montevallo and West Alabama each had two players selected to the preseason team.

The GSC Preseason Team features 13 players, including six returning all-conference performers from the 2025 season. AUM's Benjamin Hoffmann, Mississippi Christian's Sorey and West Alabama's David Nunez were First Team All-GSC selections last season.

The conference also named 26 players to its 2026 Newcomers to Watch list, with three Mississippi Christian newcomers earning recognition. Freshman midfielder Lian Feridani and freshmen forwards Karim Gegg and Harry McLean were selected to the list.

The Choctaws open the 2026 season Thursday, Aug. 27, in non-conference action. GSC play begins Sept. 11-13.

The GSC Men's Soccer Championship is scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 7, with the semifinal and championship rounds returning to the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex in Huntsville, Alabama.