The UTRGV men鈥檚 soccer team is projected to make the OVC tournament in their inaugural season, finishing fifth in the OVC Preseason Poll with 46 points. UTRGV outpaced competitors UIW, Western Illinois, and Southern Indiana, ranked sixth to eighth. Senior Mouhamed Pouye, named an OVC Preseason Player to Watch, expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the team's commitment to hard work. The defending champion, Lindenwood, leads the poll with 94 points and 11 first-place votes. The top six teams will qualify for the OVC Men's Soccer Tournament in November.

By the Numbers
  • UTRGV received 46 points in the OVC Preseason Poll, placing fifth.
  • Lindenwood leads the poll with 94 points and 11 first-place votes.
State of Play
  • The conference tournament is scheduled for Nov. 8-14 at Lindenwood's Hunter Stadium.
  • UTRGV aims to qualify for the OVC tournament, seeking their first appearance since 2021.
What's Next

UTRGV's season opens with an exhibition match against Tec De Monterrey on Aug. 9, followed by a regular-season opener at West Florida on Aug. 20. The home opener against Stetson is set for Aug. 23.

Bottom Line

The UTRGV men's soccer team's strong preseason ranking indicates potential for postseason success in the OVC, marking a significant step as they transition into a new conference.