OXFORD, Ohio- The Golden Bears of WVU Tech have been selected to repeat as conference champions in men's soccer in the River States Conference, claiming the top spot in the 2026 RSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The poll, announced Tuesday by the River States Conference office, saw each of the conference's eight head coaches rank the other member schools in order of predicted finish.
The Golden Bears earned the maximum number of first place votes, with each of the other seven coaches in the league picking WVU Tech first. The Golden Bears were perfect in River States Conference play last season, going 9-0 in conference play and adding two more wins to claim the RSC Tournament. WVU Tech kept rolling in the NAIA Tournament, winning four straight matches to advance to the national championship match in Orange Beach, Alabama.
Rio Grande, who finished second in 2025 and themselves earned a berth into the NAIA Tournament, was picked second, claiming the other first place vote. The RedStorm's only conference losses last season came to WVU Tech, falling 4-1 in the regular season and 2-1 in the RSC Tournament championship match.
Midway was picked to finish third in the league, with St. Mary-of-the-Woods picked fourth. The bottom half of the poll sees Brescia fifth, Indiana University Columbus sixth, Indiana University East seventh, and Kentucky Christian University rounding out the league at eighth.
RSC action in men's soccer begins on Thursday, August 20, the first scheduled NAIA play date. Brescia and Rio Grande are both at home on Opening Day, with Brescia hosting Kentucky Wesleyan and Rio Grande welcoming St. Xavier. The first scheduled conference match is five weeks later on September 24, when the RedStorm head to Grayson for a meeting with Kentucky Christian. The conference tournament is scheduled for November 4, 7, and 11.
2026 RSC PRESEASON MEN's SOCCER COACHES' POLL
1. WVU Tech (49 points, 7 first place votes)
2. Rio Grande (43 points, 1 first place vote)
3. Midway (35 points)
4. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (29 points)
5. Brescia (25 points)
6. IU Columbus (22 points)
7. IU East (15 points)
8. Kentucky Christian (7 points)