The Great American Conference has released its 2026 men鈥檚 soccer preseason poll, positioning Newman Jets at No. 3 with 23 points. They are tied with Southern Nazarene, while Fort Hays State secured the top spot with four first-place votes totaling 34 points. Head Coach Victor Domingues, entering his fourth season, guided the Jets to two consecutive postseason appearances. Key players returning include First Team All-GAC performer Yohsuke Ono and All-GAC Honorable Mention Daiki Okada, both of whom significantly contributed last season.

By the Numbers
  • Newman earned 23 points, tying for 3rd in preseason poll.
  • Fort Hays State topped the poll with 34 points and 4 first-place votes.
  • Yohsuke Ono recorded 45 shots, ranking second in the conference.
State of Play
  • Newman opens the season with six road non-conference matches starting August 27.
  • The Jets host Northeastern State for their conference opener on September 17.
  • The GAC/MIAA conference tournament is set for November 5-7, featuring the top four teams.
What's Next

Heading into a challenging schedule, the Jets aim to leverage their returning talent to enhance their performance in conference play and secure a postseason spot. Continued development of key players like Ono and Okada will be crucial in achieving these goals.

Bottom Line

With a solid preseason ranking and strong returning players, Newman has the potential for a competitive season ahead. Focus on building momentum from the outset could be key to their postseason aspirations.