WICHITA, Kan. — Southwestern College was picked to finish fifth in the 2026 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference men's soccer preseason coaches' poll, the conference announced Friday.

The Moundbuilders received 106 points in voting by the league's head coaches. Ballots were submitted by 13 of the KCAC's 14 head coaches.

Oklahoma Wesleyan was selected as the preseason favorite after receiving 156 points and 12 of the 13 first-place votes. The Eagles have won seven consecutive KCAC regular-season championships and six straight KCAC tournament titles.

Ottawa was picked second with 143 points and received the remaining first-place vote. York followed in third with 119 points, while Kansas Wesleyan was fourth with 114. Southwestern rounded out the top five with 106 points.

Friends was selected sixth with 94 points, followed by McPherson with 87 and Saint Mary with 86. Tabor, Evangel, Bethel, Sterling, Avila and Bethany completed the 14-team poll.

Southwestern enters the 2026 season after finishing 11-8 overall and 7-6 in KCAC play in 2025. The Builders scored 42 goals in 19 games and recorded five shutouts last season.

The fifth-place selection puts Southwestern in the upper third of the conference heading into the 2026 campaign as the Builders look to improve on last season's finish.

The Moundbuilders open the 2026 regular season on Thursday, August 27th at Richard L. Jantz Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.