Mississippi Christian Ranked Second in GSC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll

Clinton, Miss. — Mississippi Christian University is predicted to finish second in the 2026 Gulf South Conference men’s soccer standings, according to the league’s preseason coaches poll. The Choctaws received 90 points and six first-place votes, trailing only AUM, which garnered 94 points and four first-place votes, the conference announced Thursday.

Mississippi Christian finished as the GSC Tournament runner-up in 2025 and advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. The team’s three preseason all-conference selections are senior defender Gage Sorey, junior defender Alvaro Pena, and sophomore midfielder Luke Nolan. Sorey earned First Team All-GSC honors last season, while Pena was a Second Team All-GSC pick. Sorey is considered one of the league’s top defensive players after leading Mississippi Christian through a historic postseason run.

Among teams in the conference, Mississippi Christian had the most preseason all-conference selections. AUM, UAH, Christian Brothers, Montevallo and West Alabama each had two players recognized. The preseason team features 13 players, including six returning all-conference performers from last year. Last season’s First Team All-GSC selections Benjamin Hoffmann of AUM, Sorey, and David Nunez of West Alabama are among those honored again.

The conference also announced its 2026 Newcomers to Watch list, which includes three Mississippi Christian freshmen: midfielder Lian Feridani and forwards Karim Gegg and Harry McLean. The Choctaws open their season on Aug. 27 in non-conference play, with GSC matchups beginning Sept. 11-13. The GSC Men’s Soccer Championship is scheduled for Oct. 31 to Nov. 7 at the Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex in Huntsville, Alabama.

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