Vermont men's soccer has been ranked second in the America East Preseason Poll, receiving two first-place votes and a total of 44 points. Last season's champions were narrowly edged out by Bryant, who garnered six first-place votes and 47 total points. This marks the first time Vermont has not been the preseason favorite since 2023. Additionally, Niklas Herceg and David Ismail were named to the Preseason All-Conference Team for their remarkable performances last year.

By the Numbers
  • Vermont finished with 44 points in the preseason poll, just 3 points behind Bryant's 47.
  • Herceg achieved a 14-1-5 record, with 10 shutouts and a 0.74 goals-against average last season.
  • Ismail netted a career-high 10 goals during the previous season.
State of Play
  • Vermont begins its 2026 season at home against George Mason on August 20.
  • The team is aiming for a strong start to defend its title and improve upon last year's unbeaten regular season.
What's Next

With the season opener approaching, the Catamounts look to establish themselves early in the conference, especially as they seek to reclaim their top-seed position and defend their championship status.

Bottom Line

The Catamounts are poised for a competitive season, needing to leverage their recent successes and standout players to reclaim the America East title. Their preseason ranking reflects respect from peers, but the pressure is on to perform at a championship level once again.