Preseason Accolades Highlight Rourke’s Rise
Lewis Rourke, the senior midfielder for Old Dominion University, has been named to the 2026 Sun Belt Conference Preseason All‑Team, a testament to a breakout season that saw him net ten goals and add three assists across twenty‑five appearances.
His impact went beyond raw numbers; Rourke’s ten goals came on 36 shots, yielding a shooting accuracy of 58.3 percent, and he contributed a decisive game‑winning strike that helped the Monarchs secure a narrow victory over Bucknell.
Coaches and analysts alike noted his knack for striking at crucial moments, including back‑to‑back goals in matches against UMBC and a pair of consecutive scores that sparked a 1‑1 draw with South Carolina and a similar result against UCF.
The recognition comes as Old Dominion prepares for the upcoming Sun Belt Championships, where Rourke’s experience and clutch performances are expected to play a pivotal role.
Conference Honors and Awards
The preseason awards also highlighted other standout programs, with West Virginia’s Pablo Pozos earning Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Takahiro Fujita of UCF was celebrated as Defensive Player of the Year and Matisse Hébert claimed Goalkeeper of the Year.
These honors reflect a competitive landscape that includes contenders such as Marshall and Kentucky, all of whom will look to challenge the Monarchs as the season unfolds.