Men's soccer tabbed as PSAC East preseason favorites for 2026
8/11/2026 2:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released its 2026 preseason polls for men's soccer, with the Marauders atop the Eastern Division.
Head coach Steve Widdowson enters his 20th season with plenty of momentum following a second-place finish in last year's PSAC Championship. Widdowson led the Marauders to their fifth PSAC East Division championship in 2025 and looks to add a sixth PSAC East title along with another PSAC Championship.
The Marauders return a large portion of last year's lineup, including All-American Zander Leik, who led the team offensively in 2025. Other key returners include All-PSAC East First Team selections Roy Parkyn and Kehmar Green, along with All-PSAC East Second Team selections Juan Ortiz Escobar and Brian O'Neill. Millersville did lose outside back Fallou Cisse following his graduation. Cisse played a vital role on the back line alongside Green.
Millersville received four of the six votes in the East to earn the top spot, while West Chester received the other two votes and sits in second place. Defending PSAC champion Gannon was selected first in the Western Division.
The Marauders will open the season at home against Holy Family on Aug. 27.
EAST
1. Millersville (4)
2. West Chester (2)
3. Bloomsburg
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Shepherd
6. Shippensburg
WEST
1. Gannon (5)
2. Seton Hill (1)
3. Lock Haven
4. Slippery Rock
5. California
6. Pitt-Johnstown
Head coach Steve Widdowson enters his 20th season with plenty of momentum following a second-place finish in last year's PSAC Championship. Widdowson led the Marauders to their fifth PSAC East Division championship in 2025 and looks to add a sixth PSAC East title along with another PSAC Championship.
The Marauders return a large portion of last year's lineup, including All-American Zander Leik, who led the team offensively in 2025. Other key returners include All-PSAC East First Team selections Roy Parkyn and Kehmar Green, along with All-PSAC East Second Team selections Juan Ortiz Escobar and Brian O'Neill. Millersville did lose outside back Fallou Cisse following his graduation. Cisse played a vital role on the back line alongside Green.
Millersville received four of the six votes in the East to earn the top spot, while West Chester received the other two votes and sits in second place. Defending PSAC champion Gannon was selected first in the Western Division.
The Marauders will open the season at home against Holy Family on Aug. 27.
EAST
1. Millersville (4)
2. West Chester (2)
3. Bloomsburg
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Shepherd
6. Shippensburg
WEST
1. Gannon (5)
2. Seton Hill (1)
3. Lock Haven
4. Slippery Rock
5. California
6. Pitt-Johnstown
Players Mentioned
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