PROVIDENCE, R.I. – UMass Boston has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 Little East Conference (LEC) Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll, earning 63 points and seven first-place votes.
With just five points separating defending LEC champion UMass Boston and 2025 regular season champion Western Connecticut at the top of the poll, the 2026 season is set to feature another competitive race for the Little East Conference title.
2026 LEC Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Institution – Points (First-Place Votes)
- UMass Boston – 63 (7)
- Western Connecticut – 58 (2)
- Southern Maine – 43
- Eastern Connecticut – 42
- Rhode Island College – 38
- UMass Dartmouth – 32
- Keene State – 25
- Vermont State Castleton – 15
- Plymouth State – 8
NOTE: Head coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.
Beacons Tabbed as Team to Beat
UMass Boston enters the 2026 season as the LEC preseason favorite after capturing the 2025 Little East Conference Championship and finishing 13-4-4 overall and 5-1-2 in conference play. The Beacons carried their postseason success into the NCAA Division III Championship, defeating Roger Williams University, 4-1, in the opening round before falling to Bowdoin, 3-2, in the second round.
The defending champions return a decorated group led by 2025 LEC Defensive Player of the Year Ian Visnick, who also earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors. John Arruda was a First Team All-LEC and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Region selection after scoring 11 goals and adding four assists. Eduardo Chirico earned Second Team All-LEC and Third Team All-Region recognition after recording seven goals and one assist, while Rafael Gross was named Second Team All-LEC after scoring seven goals. Ryan Lima also returns after contributing four goals and five assists in 15 appearances.
Western Connecticut Close Second
Western Connecticut earned two first-place votes after going 14-6-3 overall and a perfect 8-0-0 in conference play to claim the 2025 LEC regular season championship. The top-seeded Wolves advanced to the LEC championship match before falling to UMass Boston, 2-1.
The Wolves return 2025 LEC Offensive Player of the Year and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Region selection Nickolas Santana, who led the conference with 19 goals and 43 points. Matthews Rocha, the 2025 LEC Rookie of the Year and a Second Team All-LEC selection, added seven goals and three assists during his debut season. Jeffrey Norales and Enzo Lagrassa-Gillet each earned First Team All-LEC honors, while Juan Gomez-Herrera and Aidan Roxo were Second Team selections. Norales finished the season with seven assists, while Roxo recorded six.
Southern Maine Looks to Build on Breakthrough Season
Southern Maine was selected third after finishing 5-4-10 overall and 3-1-4 in LEC play in 2025, earning the No. 3 seed in the LEC Tournament. The Huskies' season ended in the opening round after Rhode Island College advanced on penalty kicks following a 1-1 draw.
The Huskies return 2025 LEC Goalkeeper of the Year and First Team All-LEC selection Gabe Wagner, who led the conference with a .787 save percentage while posting a 1.31 goals-against average and making 74 saves. Southern Maine also brings back First Team All-LEC selections Alex Graver and Jack Brady. Graver scored eight goals with three assists for 19 points, while Brady contributed four assists. The Huskies return 10 starters from last season's squad.
Eastern Connecticut Selected Fourth
Eastern Connecticut was picked fourth after finishing 8-7-2 overall and 4-3-1 in conference play. The fourth-seeded Warriors saw their 2025 LEC Tournament run end in the opening round when UMass Dartmouth advanced on penalty kicks following a scoreless draw.
Among Eastern's top performers in 2025 was First Team All-LEC midfielder Sebastian Kadlof, who recorded four goals and a conference-leading nine assists. Niall O'Brien and Caiden Hettrick-Rivera were each named Second Team All-LEC. The Warriors return an experienced group while welcoming four newcomers as they look to remain among the conference's postseason contenders.
Rhode Island College Selected Fifth
Rhode Island College was selected fifth with 38 points after finishing 4-8-7 overall and 2-3-3 in LEC play in 2025. The sixth-seeded Anchormen upset No. 3 Southern Maine on penalty kicks in the opening round of the LEC Tournament before falling to eventual conference champion UMass Boston, 4-1, in the semifinals.
The Anchormen's 2025 All-LEC selections included First Team defender Lucas Duquette and Second Team forward Luizandro Sanches. Sanches recorded five goals and two assists for 12 points during his first collegiate season. Jackson Fox, a 2024 Second Team All-LEC selection, is also among the experienced players highlighted entering the 2026 campaign.
UMass Dartmouth Rounds Out Projected Playoff Field
UMass Dartmouth was selected sixth after posting a 7-9-4 overall record and 3-3-2 mark in conference play last season. The Corsairs qualified for the LEC Tournament for the first time since 2021 and advanced past Eastern Connecticut on penalty kicks to reach the semifinals for the first time since 2013. Their run ended with a 2-0 loss to top-seeded Western Connecticut.
UMass Dartmouth was recognized as the 2025 LEC Coaching Staff of the Year, while goalkeeper Ethan Donahue earned Second Team All-LEC honors. Forward Daniel Jordan returns after scoring seven goals and adding two assists for 16 points in 18 appearances, ranking among the conference's leading goal scorers.
Keene State, Castleton and Plymouth State Complete Poll
Keene State earned 25 points to place seventh in the preseason poll after finishing 8-6-3 overall and 2-4-2 in LEC play. The Owls finished outside the six-team LEC Tournament field. Dorian Wilcynski and Pietro Bergozza are among the returning players for Keene State, while newcomers Lapo Cabianco and Edoardo Tambini join the Owls for the 2026 campaign.
Vermont State Castleton was selected eighth with 15 points after finishing 6-10-2 overall and 0-7-1 in LEC play last season. Michael O'Connor earned Second Team All-LEC honors in 2025, while Matt Spiller led the Spartans with 18 points on five goals and eight assists.
Plymouth State rounds out the poll in ninth with eight points after finishing 4-12-1 overall and 1-6-1 in LEC play last season. Vince Cassarino was one of the Panthers' primary offensive threats, recording 31 shots and putting 16 on goal. Rowan McCarthy and Nick Ferro are also among the experienced players highlighted entering the 2026 season.