The Rockhurst University men's soccer team was picked to finish second in the 2026 Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference office announced Wednesday (August 26).
The Hawks received six first-place votes and 180 total points, finishing just behind Lincoln, which received six first-place votes and 192 points. Maryville was picked third with 166 points, followed by McKendree with 162.
Rockhurst enters the 2026 season ranked No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Preseason Poll. The Hawks return following a 2025 campaign that saw the team advance to the semifinals of the GLVC Tournament before making a run to the third round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Head coach Tony Tocco enters his 56th season at the helm of the Rockhurst program and continues to build on a career that has made him one of the winningest coaches in NCAA Division II men's soccer history.
The Hawks return a veteran group in 2026, with 10 seniors and graduate students on the roster. Rockhurst also welcomes several transfers who are expected to make an immediate impact as the Hawks look to compete for a GLVC championship and make another deep postseason run.
Rockhurst opens the 2026 season Thursday (August 27) at 7 PM against Fort Hays State, which enters the season ranked No. 3 nationally. The Tigers eliminated the Hawks in the third round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Tournament, setting the stage for an early-season matchup between two nationally ranked programs. The Hawks then return home to face off against another MIAA team, the Newman Jets, at Bourke Field on Saturday (August 29). The match Saturday will be the home opener for the No. 13 ranked Hawks.
2026 GLVC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
Lincoln — 192 (6 first-place votes)
Rockhurst — 180 (6)
Maryville — 166 (2)
McKendree — 162
Indianapolis — 158 (1)
Drury — 115
Lewis — 107
Missouri S&T — 102
Quincy — 102
Missouri-St. Louis — 86
Southwest Baptist — 47
Truman State — 45
Illinois Springfield — 43
William Jewell — 35
Upper Iowa — 35
