MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Thomas University men's soccer team has been selected eighth in the 2026 Southern States Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll, as announced by the conference office.

The Night Hawks received 56 points in the preseason voting, finishing just behind Dalton State and ahead of Blue Mountain in the twelve-team conference.

Reigning conference champion  Life was voted the league favorite with 141 points and nine first-place votes. William Carey followed in second with 131 points and two first-place votes, while Faulkner rounded out the top three.
 

2026 SSAC M&W Soccer Championships
The top eight teams will qualify for the SSAC tournament. The first round will take place Oct. 30-31 at the home of the higher seeds (#1 will host #8, #2 will host #7, etc.). Those four winners will advance to the semifinals on Nov. 5 at the Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex in Montgomery, Ala. 
 
2026 SSAC Men's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Life - 141 (9)
2. William Carey - 131 (2)
3. Faulkner - 114
4. Mobile - 98
5. UT Southern - 87
5. Xavier - 87
7. Dalton State - 86
8. Thomas - 56
9. Blue Mountain - 55 (1)
10. Point - 35
11. Brewton-Parker - 34
12. Andrew - 12