OVERLAND PARK – The Heart of America Athletic Conference released the second conference poll of the preseason on Tuesday with the release of the 2026 Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll.

Benedictine earned 100 points and is the preseason No. 9 selection as they enter the season under new head coach Rob Herringer.

Defending NAIA champions Grand View University were selected as the preseason favorite to win the Heart, earning 212 points and 9 first place votes. Each team selected in the top four in the poll earned first-place votes as MNU was selected second with 2 first-place votes, Baker was selected third with 2 first-place votes and William Penn was selected fourth with 2 first place votes. A total of 11 points separate second through fourth in the poll with two points separating Central Methodist (fifth), Missouri Valley (sixth) and Park (seventh).

In addition to Grand View, Baker, William Penn and MNU all qualified for the NAIA National Tournament last year with Grand View, William Penn and MNU advancing to the final site.

The Ravens posted an overall record o 7-7-4 in 2025 while posting a 4-6-3 Heart record where they finished in ninth place in the final conference standings.

Defensively, the Ravens held opponents to 1.5 goals per match last season, recording 6 total shutouts. Offensively, they return three of their top five goal scorers from last season. Kody Argaez recorded 9 points (3 goals, 3 assists), followed by Juanes Hernandez with 8 points (4 goals) and Zachary Pedersen with 7 points (3 goals, 1 assist).

The complete conference poll breakdown can be found at https://heartofamericaconference.com/sports/msoc/2026-27/releases/20260811kuzi0g.

The Ravens open up their 2026 schedule with a trip to Siloam Springs, Ark., on Aug. 20 to take on NAIA postseason qualifer John Brown University, before hosting Bellevue University for the home opener on Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m.

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