BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The American Eagles earned the top spot in the 2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Poll, while Bucknell and Lehigh each claimed two preseason major awards, the League announced Thursday.
The Eagles, the 2025 Patriot League men's soccer regular-season champions, were selected as the 2026 preseason favorite with 76 points and five first-place votes.
Four other teams received at least one first-place vote. Boston University placed second with 70 points and one first-place vote, followed by 2025 Patriot League runner-up Lehigh in third with 62 points and one first-place vote. Bucknell finished fourth with 57 points and two first-place votes, while defending Patriot League champion Lafayette rounded out the top five with 44 points and one first-place vote.
Army West Point (42) ranked sixth, followed by Loyola Maryland (33), Colgate (32), Navy (20) and Holy Cross (14) to round out the preseason poll.
Bucknell junior forward Drew Roskos was named the 2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Forward of the Year after earning Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honors last season. Roskos led the League with eight goals and total points (17) points in 2025.
Lehigh senior midfielder Trey Sheeler was selected as the 2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Midfielder of the Year after recording two goals and two assists last season. Sheeler helped the Mountain Hawks post four shutouts and advance to the 2025 Patriot League Men's Soccer Championship game.
Bucknell senior defender Jack Lucas was named the 2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Defender of the Year after totaling 13 points and earning second-team All-Patriot League honors last season. Lucas helped the Bison finish the 2025 campaign with a 9-4-5 overall record.
Lehigh junior goalkeeper Anton Kinnunen was named the 2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year after posting four shutouts and a .710 save percentage last season. Kinnunen helped the Mountain Hawks finish 5-1-3 in League play and advance to the Patriot League Championship game.
Voting for the Preseason All-Patriot League Men's Soccer Team, major awards and the preseason poll was completed by Patriot League men's soccer head coaches from the 10 League schools. They cannot vote for their team or student-athletes.
2026 Patriot League Preseason Forward of the Year
Drew Roskos, Bucknell, Jr., F, Delran, N.J./ Delran
*Roskos led the League with eight goals and 17 points while tying for second with two game-winning goals last season.
*The junior forward started 18 games for a Bison squad that ranked third in the League with 29 goals while posting a 9-4-5 overall record.
*Through 38 career games at Bucknell, Roskos has totaled 24 points on 10 goals and four assists.
2026 Patriot League Preseason Midfielder of the Year
Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, Sr., D, Bethlehem, Pa./ Moravian Academy
*Sheeler started all 16 games he appeared in last season, recording two goals and two assists for six points while helping the Mountain Hawks post four shutouts.
*The Bethlehem, Pa., native earned Patriot League Midfielder of the Week honors after helping Lehigh earn a victory and shutout against Boston University on Oct. 25.
*Sheeler earned third-team All-Patriot League honors in addition to being named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll and earning Academic All-District recognition from College Sports Communicators.
2026 Patriot League Preseason Defender of the Year
Jack Lucas, Bucknell, Sr., D, Leawood, Kan./Shawnee Mission East
*Lucas tied for sixth in the League with five goals and ranked ninth with 13 points last season, helping the Bison earn a berth in the Patriot League Championship.
*Defensively, Lucas helped Bucknell record eight shutouts, including a League-best seven during League play.
*The Leawood, Kan., native earned second-team All-Patriot League honors following the 2025 season.
2026 Patriot League Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, Jr., GK, Kemi, Finland
*Kinnunen started all 20 games in goal for the Mountain Hawks last season, posting a .710 save percentage and a 1.45 goals-against average.
*The Kemi, Finland, native recorded three shutouts during League play, earning clean sheets against Navy, Boston University and Colgate.
*Kinnunen earned Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week honors after recording his first career shutout in a victory over Navy on Sept. 27.
2026 Patriot League Men's Soccer Preseason All-League Team
Jubril Bamgbala, Army West Point, F, Sr.
Andrea Di Blasio, Boston University, F, Sr.
Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F, Jr.
Oliver Snowdon, American, M, Jr.
Pharis Petrica, Boston University, M, Jr.
Cade Maglione, Lafayette, M, Jr.
Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M, Sr.
Ian Webb-Johnson, American, D, Sr.
Kelly Cooper, Army West Point, D, Sr.
Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D, Sr.
Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, GK, Jr.
Preseason Men's Soccer Major Awards
Preseason Forward of the Year - Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F, Jr.
Preseason Midfielder of the Year - Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M, Sr.
Preseason Defender of the Year - Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D, Sr.
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year - Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, GK, Jr.
Preseason Poll
1. American 76 (5)
2. Boston University 70 (1)
3. Lehigh 62 (1)
4. Bucknell 57 (2)
5. Lafayette 44 (1)
6. Army West Point 42
7. Loyola Maryland 33
8. Colgate 32
9. Navy 20
10. Holy Cross 14
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League's athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.