Preseason Favorites
Furman University entered the 2026 Southern Conference (SoCon) men’s soccer preseason poll as the clear favorite, earning six first‑place votes and 34 points in the conference coaches’ survey.
The Paladins finished the previous season with a 16‑2‑5 record, went unbeaten in conference play and captured their first College Cup appearance, a milestone that helped vault them into the top three nationally.
Head coach Brandon Tucker, who spent nine years as associate head coach before succeeding Doug Allison — a Furman Hall of Famer with 365 career wins and 11 NCAA tournament berths — brings continuity and depth to the program.
Star‑Studded Returners
All 11 starters from the 2025 College Cup roster return, highlighted by Diego Hernandez, the SoCon Player of the Year, and Ivan Horvat, the conference’s Goalkeeper of the Year.
The preseason All‑Conference team features six Furman representatives, including Wilfer Bustamante, Luke Hutzell and Ryan Wagner, underscoring the program’s dominance.
National Recognition
Top Drawer Soccer placed Furman second in its national preseason rankings, ahead of UNC Greensboro, while United Soccer Coaches gave the Paladins four first‑place votes and 34 points in the SoCon poll.
Liberty University received the final first‑place vote, finishing third with 24 points, just ahead of Mercer (23 points). Wofford, ETSU and VMI round out the rest of the top tier with 15, 13 and 7 points respectively.
Season Opener
The 2026 campaign kicks off on August 20, when every SoCon team will begin its schedule, setting the stage for a competitive year that could reshape the conference’s national perception.