LOUDONVILLE, NY – Coming off the most successful season in program history, Siena Men's Soccer has been picked to continue its rise in 2026, earning its highest-ever preseason ranking as the Saints were selected second in the Metro Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced Thursday by the conference.
Siena received 151 points and four first-place votes in the preseason poll, finishing just behind Sacred Heart (156 points, seven first-place votes) and ahead of third-place Iona (143 points, one first-place vote). The Saints' second-place selection marks the highest preseason ranking in program history following a historic 2025 campaign that saw Siena capture its first-ever conference championship and earn the program's first NCAA Tournament berth.
In addition to the team recognition, senior midfielder
Lucas Almeida was selected as the Metro Preseason Player of the Year, becoming just the second Saint in program history to earn the honor. Almeida joins Henrik Winkelmann, who was named the conference's Co-Preseason Player of the Year in 2024.
Almeida enters the 2026 season following a record-setting sophomore campaign that saw him earn Second Team All-ECAC and First Team All-MAAC honors while also being named Siena Athletics' Male Athlete of the Year. The midfielder was a three-time MAAC Offensive Player of the Week selection and led the Saints with 10 goals, 25 points, 21 shots on goal, three match-winning goals, and one hat trick, while adding five assists across 18 matches.
His 25 points tied for the fifth-most in a single season in program history, making him the first Saint since 2019 to reach 20 points in a season. His 10 goals tied for the sixth-most in a single season in program history and made him just the seventh player in program history to reach double-digit goals in a season.
Nationally, Almeida ranked third in the conference and 29th in the nation averaging 0.56 goals per match, while ranking fourth in the league and 37th nationally with three match-winning goals. He also ranked second in the MAAC and 25th nationally averaging 1.39 points per match.
Joining Almeida on the Preseason All-Metro Team is senior goalkeeper
Bennet Glinder, who earns his third consecutive preseason conference honor. Glinder previously earned Preseason All-Conference recognition entering both the 2024 and 2025 seasons and delivered a standout junior campaign, earning MAAC All-Championship Team MVP honors and a MAAC Defensive Player of the Week recognition.
Glinder started all 19 matches last season, logging a career-high 1,693 minutes while recording a career-best 73 saves and a league-leading five shutouts, tied for the sixth-most in a single season in program history. He secured a career-high nine victories, tied for the third-most in a single season by a Saint, while ranking fourth in the MAAC with a 1.28 goals-against average and fifth in the MAAC and 59th nationally with a .753 save percentage.
Siena begins its 2026 campaign on the road Wednesday, Aug. 20, at NJIT.
2026 Metro Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1 Sacred Heart 156 (7)
2 Siena 151 (4)
3 Iona 143 (1)
4 Fairfield 135 (1)
T5 Marist 109
T5 Quinnipiac 109
7 Niagara 84
8 Manhattan 63
9 Mount St. Mary's 58
10 Saint Peter's 54
11 Merrimack 47
12 Canisius 37
13 Rider 36
2026 Metro Men's Soccer Preseason Player of the Year
Lucas Almeida, Siena
2026 Preseason All-Metro Team
Player Position Year Institution
Ivan Morcillo Forward Jr. Sacred Heart
Sean Albritton Forward Fr. Fairfield
Adriano Iannello Forward So. Marist
Alex Vaz Midfield Fr. Fairfield
Lucas Almeida Midfield Sr. Siena
Danny Istambouli Midfield Sr. Sacred Heart
Gijs Verheul Midfield Jr. Marist
Daniel Losfablos Defense Gr. Sacred Heart
Jaime Roman Jr. Defense Sr. Iona
Andres Becerra Defense So. Iona
Bennet Glinder Goalkeeper Jr. Siena
