After advancing to the NCAA Division II Tournament Third Round last season, the Rockhurst University men's soccer team enters the 2026 campaign with national expectations. The Hawks are ranked No. 13 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 Poll released Tuesday (August 4) as they prepare to begin another season under head coach
Tony Tocco.
Rockhurst finished the 2025 season with a 12-5-4 overall record, earning an NCAA Tournament berth and advancing to the third round of the national tournament. Following the season, Tocco and his staff were recognized as the NCAA Division II Midwest Region Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding the Hawks to another successful campaign.
Looking to build on that momentum, Rockhurst welcomes a 25-player signing class that blends experienced transfers, accomplished local talent, and international recruits. The class includes three collegiate transfers, student-athletes from three different countries, and several highly decorated high school standouts who are expected to make an immediate impact.
"Our goal every year is to bring in players who fit our culture on and off the field," said Associate Head Coach,
Giorgio Antongirolami . "This class gives us outstanding depth, quality competition at every position, and student-athletes who are committed to competing for championships while excelling in the classroom."
Among the newcomers are three experienced transfers in goalkeeper Samuele Neri, defender Tommaso Silanos, and Kansas City native Liam Ver Meer, each bringing collegiate experience into the program. The class also features Rockhurst High School standouts Liam Dean and Luke Strueby, members of a Hawklets squad that finished 23-1-1 and earned a No. 3 national ranking during the 2025 season.
The incoming class also reflects Rockhurst's commitment to academic excellence. Several newcomers enter the program with GPAs of 3.9 or higher, continuing the program's tradition of success both on the field and in the classroom.
With a national ranking to open the season, an experienced returning core, and one of the program's deepest recruiting classes in recent years, the Hawks will begin the 2026 campaign with their sights set on competing for another Great Lakes Valley Conference championship and making another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
| Rank |
School |
Prev |
W-L-T |
| 1 |
Midwestern State University |
1 |
19-3-3 |
| 2 |
Rollins College |
2 |
14-5-5 |
| 3 |
Fort Hays State University |
3 |
20-1-3 |
| 4 |
Southern New Hampshire University |
4 |
16-3-2 |
| 5 |
California State University Stanislaus |
5 |
17-2-1 |
| 6 |
Rogers State University |
6 |
14-4-5 |
| 7 |
Point Loma Nazarene University |
7 |
16-4-2 |
| 8 |
Lynn University |
8 |
14-3-1 |
| 9 |
University of Charleston |
9 |
17-1-4 |
| 10 |
Mississippi College |
10 |
15-3-4 |
| 11 |
Gannon University |
11 |
15-3-4 |
| 12 |
Palm Beach Atlantic University |
12 |
13-3-2 |
| 13 |
Rockhurst University |
13 |
12-5-4 |
| 14 |
Franklin Pierce University |
14 |
12-4-4 |
| 15 |
Flagler College |
15 |
15-3-6 |
| 16 |
Lincoln University (Mo.) |
16 |
11-2-7 |
| 17 |
Anderson University (S.C.) |
17 |
11-2-6 |
| 18 |
University of Colorado-Colorado Springs |
18 |
12-6-5 |
| 19 |
Bentley University |
19 |
11-3-4 |
| 20 |
California State University-Dominguez Hills |
20 |
12-4-4 |
| 21 |
Cedarville University |
21 |
12-2-7 |
| 22 |
Florida Tech |
23 |
8-3-8 |
| 23 |
Young Harris College |
24 |
15-2-3 |
| 24 |
Seattle Pacific University |
25 |
12-4-4 |
| 25 |
Tiffin University |
RV |
13-2-5 |
Receiving Votes: California State University-San Bernardino, University of Bridgeport, Adelphi University, University of Hawaii-Hilo, Post University, Maryville University of St. Louis, McKendree University, University of Indianapolis, Northern Michigan University, Roberts Wesleyan University, Lincoln Memorial University, Western Oregon University
