SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College men's soccer has been picked to finish fourth in the 2026 River States Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Tuesday.
The Pomeroys received 29 points in voting by the conference's head coaches.
WVU Tech was selected as the preseason favorite with 49 points and seven of the eight first-place votes. Rio Grande followed in second with 43 points and the remaining first-place vote, while Midway was picked third with 35 points.
SMWC landed fourth, ahead of Brescia with 25 points, IU Columbus with 22, IU East with 15 and Kentucky Christian with seven.
The preseason recognition comes as the Pomeroys enter their third season under head coach Ron Kiernicki. SMWC continued its rise within the conference in 2025, advancing to the River States Conference Tournament quarterfinals for the second consecutive season and hosting a postseason match for the first time in program history.
SMWC opens the 2026 campaign Aug. 21 against Goshen College at McMahon Field. The Pomeroys begin River States Conference play Oct. 3 at IU East before closing the regular season with three consecutive conference home matches against Midway, IU Columbus and Kentucky Christian.
The 2026 River States Conference Men's Soccer Tournament is scheduled to begin Nov. 4.
2026 RSC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
- WVU Tech — 49 points (7 first-place votes)
- Rio Grande — 43 points (1)
- Midway — 35 points
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods — 29 points
- Brescia — 25 points
- IU Columbus — 22 points
- IU East — 15 points
- Kentucky Christian — 7 points
