ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – With the 2026 men's soccer season around the corner, the Flagler College men's soccer program continues to receive high praise ahead of the new season. The Saints, who will open the year at No. 15 in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, topped the Peach Belt Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll and saw seven players earn Preseason All-Conference honors.
 
"The preseason ranking is a great testament to the hard work that this group has put in over the last few years," said Flagler men's soccer head coach Thomas Coombes. "However, our goal is to be in first place at the end of the season. Competing in one of the country's top conferences is tough. Since this program hasn't won a regular season title since 2011, we fully understand how difficult this goal will be."
 
The Saints are coming off an impressive 15-3-6 regular season, and 6-1-5 mark in conference play last season. The 15 wins were the most in program history since 2011 when that squad went 17-3-3 to claim the regular season and conference tournament title. Last season, the Saints applied ample pressure on the attack, netting the third most goals and distributing the second most assists in a single season in Division 2 program history.
 
A key returner from last season's successful run is senior goalkeeper Ryan Rivas, who was named to the Preseason All-Conference list. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native hauled in 92 saves last season, which was the most in a single season in Division 2 program history. Rivas recorded 10 clean sheets on the year last season, which tied for the fifth most in a single season as he was named First Team All-PBC and First Team United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region. Coming into the new year, Rivas ranks second all-time in school history in shutouts and fourth all-time in saves.
 
Assisting Rivas on the defensive front are three Preseason All-Conference standouts, including Daniel Becerra, Owen Cunha, and Filip Hornburg. Becerra returns for his second season after earning Second Team All-PBC honors last year. The Barranquilla, Columbia native started 22 matches and netted four goals with three assists while playing a key role in 10 shutouts. Cunha enters his second season with the Saints after transferring from North Florida. The Frederick, Maryland native started 22-of-23 matches last season and dished out five assists, a mark that ranked eighth in the conference. Rounding out the list of defenders who earned Preseason All-Conference honors is sophomore defender Filip Hornburg. The Oslo, Norway product started 23 matches last season, which tied the Division 2 program record set by Johan Bergfeld in 2011.
 
On the offensive side of the ball, Flagler returns a trio of veteran forwards who were named to the Preseason All-Conference list. Senior Luke Williams enters his final season as one of the best in program history. The Jacksonville, Florida native is top 10 in Division 2 program history with 42 points, 15 goals, and 12 assists. Last season, Williams ranked second in conference play in goals, ninth in assists, and 10^th in points. Fellow senior Finn Weigelt, a two-time All-PBC standout and Georgia Southern transfer, returns after starting 18-of-22 matches last season. The Berlin, Germany native netted four goals and distributed one assist. Lander transfer Callum Stokes rounded out the offensive side of honorees as the 6-2 striker enters his first season in the Nation's Oldest City. Last season with the Bearcats, the Reading, England native started all 18 matches and finished second on the team with seven goals.
 
"Having seven players in the preseason all-conference selection is fantastic for those individuals. However, we know it will take all 31 players on our roster to contribute to any success we are going to have this season."
 
Flagler garnered six first place votes to top the Preseason Coaches' Poll. North Georgia tallied one first place vote at the second spot while Clayton State came in close behind at third. Lander, USC Aiken, Georgia Southwestern, and Middle Georgia rounded out the remaining list.
 
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