The Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC) has revealed the 2026 Preseason Poll for men's soccer, with Malone University predicted to finish 11th in the standings. Tiffin University and Cedarville University emerged as frontrunners, receiving 91 and 90 points respectively, both securing five first-place votes. Last year, Tiffin was the reigning champion, while Cedarville maintained an unbeaten 9-0-5 record in league play. Malone, under Head Coach Bill Lawrence, had a challenging previous season with a 3-11-3 overall record, but returns several key players, including goal-scorers Christopher Onye, Thembani Phoya, and Bereket Hadgu. The Pioneers' season kicks off on August 27 against Salem University at home.

By the Numbers
  • Tiffin University: 91 points, 5 first-place votes
  • Cedarville University: 90 points, 5 first-place votes
  • Malone University: 16 points, 11th place
Yes, But

Despite being ranked 11th, Malone has the potential to improve, as they have a significant number of new recruits (23 incoming student-athletes) who could contribute to the team's overall performance.

State of Play
  • Malone seeks to build on last season's challenges with a mix of returning players and new talent.
  • The team will rely on a solid defensive lineup, including Ryan Ziskowski and Camden Albertson.
What's Next

The Pioneers will start their season on August 27, with hopes of overcoming last year's struggles and making an impact in the conference standings.

Bottom Line

Malone's ranking may not reflect their potential; with a blend of returning talent and new players, there's ample opportunity for improvement in their upcoming season.