PITMAN, NJ – Rowan has been picked as the 2026 preseason favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Poll, receiving six of the 10 first-place votes in balloting by the league's head coaches.
Montclair State picked up three first-place votes to land second, while TCNJ was tabbed third and Stockton fourth. New Paltz, playing its first season as an NJAC member, was tagged this year's dark horse in fifth. Rutgers-Camden, Rutgers-Newark, William Paterson, Kean, and Ramapo rounded out the poll.
2026 NJAC MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
(first place votes in parentheses)
1. Rowan (6)
2. Montclair State (3)
3. TCNJ
4. Stockton
5. New Paltz (dark horse)
6. Rutgers-Camden
7. Rutgers-Newark
8. William Paterson
9. Kean (1)
10. Ramapo
KEAN
Kean brings back a solid attacking core in forward Mathew Sarfo and winger Andy Mayorga, who tied for second on the team in scoring last season with six points on three goals. Winger Ilyas Jaber, an Honorable Mention All-NJAC selection, chipped in five assists a year ago, while defenders George Asante and Yasser Aglaguel, also an Honorable Mention honoree, anchor the back line. The Cougars add attacking midfielder Maximilian Reisinger from Germany, along with newcomers Dariel Meja and Ayo Talabi.
Newcomers to Watch: Maximilian Reisinger (AM; Germany), Dariel Meja (CDM/Winger; MLK, NY), Ayo Talabi (Winger; Dean College)
Head Coach Jairo Munoz: "We are looking forward to this upcoming season, I think we have a very talented group coming in, the best we have had in a while. If we can stay healthy, we will be a NJAC title contender for sure."
MONTCLAIR STATE
Montclair State – the 2025 NJAC regular season champion – returns reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year Tomas Monteiro, who led the team in conference scoring a year ago with 13 points on six goals and an assist, along with First Team All-NJAC midfielder Kevin Contreras and First Team All-NJAC defender Sebastian Lapczynski. Goalkeeper Pierre Soumeillant, who went 6-1-3 with a .674 save percentage while handling the majority of Montclair State's conference games last season, also returns to anchor the back line. The Red Hawks led the entire NJAC in conference-only scoring average last season (2.556 goals per game) and bring back the bulk of last year's competitive roster, adding forward Rob Dasler and goalkeeper George Kostis to the mix.
Newcomers to Watch: Rob Dasler (F; Lyndhurst HS), George Kostis (GK; CSA)
Head Coach Todd Tumelty: "The 2026 Red Hawks bring back the lion’s share of the roster from last year's competitive side. Adding some key pieces in the off season was important and we will hope to contend for a conference championship in 2026 with this still young group."
NEW PALTZ
New Paltz enters its first season as an NJAC member behind forward Brandon Dhanoolal, one of the Hawks’ leading returning scorers who put up 11 points last year. The Hawks also bring back a trio of steady defensive returners in Riley Tait, Owen Joyce, and David Lamour, who chipped in on the offensive side as well with eight points. The Hawks add midfielder Dante Gulla and forward Cody Hamilton to bolster the attack as they adjust to conference play. New Paltz ranked as the third-highest scoring offense in the SUNYAC last season.
Newcomers to Watch: Dante Gulla (CM; Brewster HS), Cody Hamilton (F; Columbia HS)
Head Coach Kyle Clancy: "A mix of experience in the back with an injection of youth up front that will help create some good competition in each position. I'm excited to see how the team comes together as we adjust to the new challenge ahead of us in the NJAC."
RAMAPO
Ramapo returns Second Team All-NJAC forward Gianfranco Ponce, who led the team in scoring last season with 17 points on seven goals and three assists, and Honorable Mention midfielder Dylan Perez, who tied for third on the team with 10 points. Goalkeeper Zach Natt anchors the back line. The Roadrunners add a trio of experienced transfers on defense in Manny Lazor, Sam Leckner, and Justin Bunnell.
Newcomers to Watch: Manny Lazor (D; Cairn), Sam Leckner (D; Kings), Justin Bunnell (D; Delaware Valley)
Head Coach DJ Pinton: "Solid team of returning nucleus of players with experienced transfers."
ROWAN
Rowan returns a deep, experienced core off a 17-4-4 season and conference title. Midfielder Christian McGillian, who tied for third on the team in scoring last season with 14 points, and First Team All-NJAC defender Greg Ferreira anchor the roster, while Second Team All-NJAC defender Luke McNamee, who tied for second in the NJAC in assists (8), headlines a back line that posted the second-best scoring defense average in conference play a year ago (1.22 goals allowed per game). The Profs do enter 2026 without two-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Year Johnny Troiano and 2025 Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Cleary, but bring in transfers Evan Villaboy (Marist), Aaron Zhao (Chicago State), and Korey Philpot (Elon) to keep the program's momentum going.
Newcomers to Watch: Evan Villaboy (Marist), Aaron Zhao (Chicago State University), Korey Philpot (Elon)
Head Coach Scott Baker: "Rowan returns a solid core of players and will add several new players that can make an immediate impact. The returners will be the foundation of the team and will look to continue the success that the program has had over the past few years."
RUTGERS-CAMDEN
Rutgers-Camden returns a trio of experienced All-NJAC players according to head coach Tim Oswald, led by Honorable Mention forward Nik Grello, who tied for the team scoring lead last season with 14 points, and Second Team All-NJAC forward Dylan Pino, who tied for third on the team with 12 points. Defender Jason Garwood and midfielder Tom Monaghan round out a tactically disciplined squad looking to punch an NJAC playoff ticket. The Scarlet Raptors add midfielder Cameron Jordan, a transfer from Barton College, defender Joe Kennedy, a transfer from DeSales, and goalkeeper Joe Zubert.
Newcomers to Watch: Cameron Jordan (MFD; Barton College), Joe Kennedy (DEF/MFD; Father Judge HS/DeSales), Joe Zubert (GK; Pitman HS)
Head Coach Tim Oswald: "A talented and tactically disciplined squad returns to Camden looking to punch an NJAC playoff ticket. A tough out of conference schedule should prepare us for league play with the hopes we are performing at our peak when it matters most!"
RUTGERS-NEWARK
Rutgers-Newark returns First Team All-NJAC forward Erick Cortes, who ranked second in the entire NJAC in goals and third in points a year ago, and Second Team All-NJAC forward Ian Brown, who tied for eighth in the conference in both goals and points, both key pieces of an attack that led the NJAC in overall scoring offense last season (2.333 goals per game). Defenders Michael Reis and Dylan Huseinovic anchor the back line. The Scarlet Raiders add midfielder Augusto Vieira, forward Nathaniel Doelling, and defender Derek Jimenez to bolster their depth.
Newcomers to Watch: Augusto Vieira (NJCU), Nathaniel Doelling (Montgomery HS), Derek Jimenez (Raritan Valley CC)
Head Coach Kevin East: "We return a solid core of players from the previous season and added some defensive depth which will lead to a more balanced team. Our depth in all positions should help carry us through the grind of a rapid and very challenging schedule."
STOCKTON
Stockton returns Second Team All-NJAC midfielder Aiden Hoenisch, who ranked fourth in the NJAC in assists last season and finished second on the team in scoring with 17 points, and midfielder Joseph Carbone. Honorable Mention defender Noah Jones and midfielder Owen Sugra return to anchor a back line that allowed a conference-best 0.33 goals per game in NJAC play last season. The Ospreys add a promising trio of newcomers in Benji Silva, Cooper Adinolfi, and Landon Hoenisch.
Newcomers to Watch: Benji Silva (Kearny HS), Cooper Adinolfi (Shawnee HS), Landon Hoenisch (Notre Dame HS)
Head Coach Greg Ruttler: "We have a talented group of returning players who have gained valuable experience, and we've added a strong class of freshman and transfers that gives us a lot of depth and competition at every position."
TCNJ
TCNJ returns First Team All-NJAC forward Chris Meder, who led the entire NJAC in points and assists last season while ranking third in goals, and Second Team All-NJAC midfielder Matt Will, who ranked fifth in the conference in goals. Forward Mati Hornos adds further scoring punch, while reigning NJAC Goalkeeper of the Year Sean Najdzinowicz, who led all conference keepers in shutouts a year ago, headlines a defense that posted the NJAC's best overall scoring defense average last season (0.81 goals allowed per game), alongside Honorable Mention defender Matt Maceri and Second Team All-NJAC defender Lawrence Mancino. The Lions add midfielder Tye Maser, a transfer from Bloomsburg, midfielder Ashton Ritter, and midfielder Rory Grace, a transfer from Stockton, as the program honors the 30th anniversary of its 1996 national championship team.
Newcomers to Watch: Tye Maser (M; Bloomsburg), Ashton Ritter (M; Cherokee HS), Rory Grace (M; Stockton)
Head Coach Steve DeMatteo: "We're excited to continue building on the progress we made last season and aim to take another step forward in a highly competitive NJAC. We're looking forward to integrating another strong group of freshmen and transfers, while honoring the 30th anniversary of our 1996 National Championship team and the legacy they established."
WILLIAM PATERSON
William Paterson returns a strong senior leadership group in midfielder Matt Escobar, an Honorable Mention All-NJAC selection who led the team in scoring last season with 18 points, and midfielder Davide Zamuner, who tied for third on the team with 11 points. Second Team All-NJAC goalkeeper Luca Misko and defender Thomas Rogan anchor the back line. The Pioneers add attackers Max Robert Diaz Elizarde, a transfer from NC Wesleyan, and John Witkowski, a transfer from Washington College.
Newcomers to Watch: Max Robert Diaz Elizarde (Attacker; NC Wesleyan), John Witkowski (Attacker; Washington College)
Head Coach Matt Heitmann: "We are excited about this year's team and the quality leadership group we have in place, led by returning starting seniors Jonathan Antonio, Luca Misko, Matt Escobar, and Tommy Rogan. Their experience, consistency, and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to build on the success of our program."