Bryant University’s men’s soccer program has cracked the national elite, landing at No. 10 in the 2026 United Soccer Coaches preseason poll — the first time a Bulldogs team has ever been placed in the Division I preseason rankings.
A Milestone for the Program
The Bulldogs’ ascent reflects a three‑year surge that has seen the team compile a 43‑10‑9 record under head coach Ruben Resendes, a stretch that includes two NCAA Tournament appearances and a 2023 America East championship.
Last season the Bulldogs finished 17‑2‑3, advancing to the round of 16 before bowing out, a run that propelled them into the conversation among the country’s most successful mid‑major programs.
Returning Core and Coaching Continuity
Coach Resendes will again rely on a core that returns 12 lettermen, highlighted by graduate midfielder Paco Fernandez, who earned America East Midfielder of the Year honors after a standout 2025 campaign.
The midfield corps also brings back Fermin Rodriguez, Jorge Rodriguez and Fernando Delgado, who combined for 11 goals and six assists in the previous season, while playmaker Jorge Veintimilla and starter Christian Merritt add depth and experience.
Resendes’ stability is underscored by his 43‑10‑9 tally over the past three years, a record that ties him with Vermont for the second‑most wins in the nation behind only Marshall’s 45 victories.
The Bulldogs now sit poised to challenge for another America East title and to make a deeper NCAA run, a prospect that has energized the campus and the broader soccer community.