NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin revealed its annual preseason coaches' poll ahead of the 2026 men's soccer season Wednesday, Aug. 19. The Illinois Wesleyan University men's soccer team captured 44 points and one first-place nod to place fourth in the nine-team poll as the Titans look to defend their tournament title.
Wheaton and North Central topped the poll in a tie for first place with 57 points and three first-place votes. North Park ousted IWU as it received 54 points and two first-place nods to rank third. Carroll (33) followed in fifth place, while Carthage (32) came in sixth. Augustana (19), Millikin (16), and Elmhurst (12) rounded out the poll in seventh, eighth and ninth place, respectively.
Illinois Wesleyan heads into its 13th season under head coach Kyle Schauls after making a run to win the CCIW Tournament and an NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament appearance last season. The Titans set a season wins record, going 13-2-4, and return seven starters, including First Team All-CCIW selection junior Ryder Coleman (Bannockburn, Ill., Deerfield), sophomore Ben Lyons (Orland Park, Ill., Carl Sandburg) and senior Matthew Perchik (Glenview, Ill., New Trier).
The Titans kick off their 2026 campaign on a three-game road trip with the season opener at Illinois College Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Green and White will return to Neis Field Sept. 12 for its home opener against Knox College with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
2026 CCIW men's soccer preseason coaches' poll
T1. Wheaton, 57 points (3 first-place votes)
T1. North Central, 57 points (3 first-place votes)
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