ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Macalester College men's soccer team is ranked 13th in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Top 25 preseason poll, the organization announced today. The Scots, who were 17-5 a year ago, also were ranked 13th in the final national poll of the 2025 season after advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament last fall.

Macalester, coached by Gregg Olson, returns 19 players, including 10 who started at least 10 games last year. Senior midfielder Kasdan Blattman (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine) was named a second team All-American after earning All-Region and All-MIAC honors. Senior forward Zach Liptzin (Denver, Colo./Northfield) and sophomore midfielder Gaven Johnson (Harrison, Ohio/William Henry Harrison) received All-MIAC honorable mention.

Last year the Scots won their final six regular-season games to earn the No. 2 seed in the MIAC Playoffs, then beat Gustavus and top-seeded St. Olaf to capture the program's second MIAC Playoff championship. The title gave the Scots an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, sending the Scots to the national tournament for the 13th time. Macalester hosted first and second round games in the NCAA tournament, defeating Illinois Wesleyan, 2-1 in the first round before earning a thrilling 2-1 victory over No. 22 UW-Eau Claire in the second round to advance to the Sweet 16. A 2-1 loss to seventh-ranked Wheaton ended a memorable season.

Tufts, the defending Division III national champion, was ranked first in the preseason poll, followed by Trinity (Texas), St. Olaf, Emory and Bowdoin. This is Macalester's first appearance in the preseason national poll since 2016, following a 14-2-5 campaign that included a MIAC championship and an NCAA tournament berth in 2015.

The Scots begin the 2026 season on Sept. 1 at UW-Platteville. The first home game is on Sept. 6 against Wartburg at 3:00 p.m. at John Leaney Field at Macalester Stadium.

Click here to view the Division III Top 25 preseason rankings.