NEW HAVEN, Conn. (August 10, 2026) – Post University has been predicted to finish in first place in the in the 2026 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference men’s soccer standings, according to the results of the sport’s CACC Preseason Coaches Poll released today by Commissioner Dan Mara.
Post (9-3-7, 6-0-4 in 2025) was the CACC regular-season champion in 2025, the fifth consecutive season it has won or shared that crown. The Eagles received 94 points and five first-place votes, making them a slight favorite over the University of Bridgeport, which garnered 91 points and four first-place votes. The Purple Knights defeated Post, 4-3, in last year’s CACC championship final. Both Post and Bridgeport received votes in the 2026 national Division II preseason coaches poll.
The next four positions in the CACC poll went to, respectively, Wilmington University (3rd, 81 points), Felician University (4th, 70), Thomas Jefferson University, (5th, 62), and Holy Family University (6th, 47). Wilmington and Jefferson each received one first-place vote. Georgian Court University was seventh with 46 points, while Caldwell University and Dominican University New York (40) tied for ninth. Rounding out the balloting were Chestnut Hill College (10th, 19) and Goldey-Beacom College (11th, 15).
The regular season begins on Thursday, August 27, with 10 of 11 CACC teams competing. Conference action is slated to start on Sept. 19. At season’s end, the top eight teams in the standings will qualify for the CACC Championship tournament. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held on Oct. 31 and Nov. 3 at campus sites. Wilmington will host the championship final on Nov. 7 at the Wilmington University Athletics Complex in Newark, Del. The CACC champion will automatically qualify for the 2026 NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Championship.
2026 CACC MEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
(First-place votes in parentheses)
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1.
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Post University (5)
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94 pts.
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2.
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University of Bridgeport (4)
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91
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3.
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Wilmington University (1)
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81
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4.
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Felician University
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70
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5.
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Thomas Jefferson University (1)
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62
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6.
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Holy Family University
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47
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7.
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Georgian Court University
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46
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8.
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Caldwell University
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40
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Dominican University New York
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40
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10.
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Chestnut Hill College
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19
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11.
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Goldey-Beacom College
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15
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Founded in 1961, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference has been affiliated with NCAA Division II for 21 years. Conference institutions compete for championships in 18 sports – seven for men, 10 for women, and one co-ed. The CACC contains 11 full members in Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Membership includes the University of Bridgeport, Caldwell University, Chestnut Hill College, Dominican University New York, Felician University, Georgian Court University, Goldey-Beacom College, Holy Family University, Post University, Thomas Jefferson University, and Wilmington University.