BRIDGEWATER, N.J. - FDU men's soccer was the unanimous choice among the NEC coaches in the 2026 NEC Preseason Soccer Poll per a conference release Wednesday afternoon. 

The Knights received all 11 possible votes in the poll, with their NEC semifinal opponent Le Moyne finishing in second place. LIU and Mercyhurst filled out the rest of the preseason playoff picture, in the full poll that is shown below. 

1. FDU (unanimous)
2. Le Moyne
3. LIU
4. Mercyhurst
5. Stonehill
6. New Haven
7. Howard
8. CCSU
9. Chicago State 

FDU is defending the conference crown this season after winning the NEC Championship Match in extra time. The Knights are welcoming back key pieces from last year's NEC winning squad, most notably defender Gabriel Le Guen who contributed over 1,400 minutes of time for FDU last season, starting in 17 matches. 

Jaymee Highcock is also welcoming back some fire power on the offensive end, as both Luke Ayaz and Alex Ferenac are returning for another year on the Banks of the Hackensack.

Ayaz was FDU's breakout star in the 2025 campaign, where he played nearly 1,300 minutes, and finished second on the team with six goals, finishing only behind the NEC's Golden Boot Winner Arnau Rabassa-Guilamon. Ayaz also tallied three assists in his sophomore season with FDU, finishing with 15 total points. 

Ferenac proved to be one of the most consistent cards in the deck for the Knights last season, as he appeared in all 21 matches. Ferenac found the back of the net once a season ago and also contributed four assists, and will look to see an expanded role with this year's club. 

The Knights quest for a second straight NEC title will commence at the newly named Macron Stadium as FDU will take on Saint Peter's in the season opener in Teaneck on August 20th.