Pioneers First in Pre-Season Coaches’ Poll; Three Players Named to All-Conference Team
8/13/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Following its 2025 Metro Conference regular season championship, the Sacred Heart men's soccer team has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 Metro Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Pioneers also placed three student-athletes on the Preseason All-Metro Team, highlighting the program's expectations entering the new campaign.
Sacred Heart was selected first with 156 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Siena with 151 points and four first-place votes. Iona was selected third with 143 points and one first-place vote, while Fairfield came in fourth with 135 points and one first-place vote. Marist and Quinnipiac tied for fifth with 109 points apiece, followed by Niagara (84), Manhattan (63), Mount St. Mary's (58), Saint Peter's (54), Merrimack (47), Canisius (37), and Rider (36) to round out the 13-team preseason poll.
The Pioneers' strong showing in the preseason poll was complemented by three selections to the Preseason All-Metro Team, including senior forward Ivan Morcillo. Morcillo earned preseason all-conference recognition after a standout 2025 campaign, appearing in 17 matches and totaling 15 points on seven goals and one assist. He recorded 37 shots, including 22 on goal, and was named to the All-Metro First Team.
Midfielder Danny Istambouli was also selected to the Preseason All-Metro Team after appearing in 15 matches last season. He finished with 16 points on six goals and four assists while registering 25 shots, 12 of which were on target. Istambouli earned All-Metro Second Team honors following the season.
Defender Daniel Losfablos rounds out Sacred Heart's preseason honorees after earning Metro Conference Defender of the Year recognition in 2025. He appeared in all 17 matches, scoring three goals for six points while totaling 19 shots, including 13 on frame. Losfablos was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Metro Team following his standout defensive campaign.
The Pioneers' season opens on the road at Providence on August 20 at 7 PM.
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
Sacred Heart was selected first with 156 points and seven first-place votes, followed by Siena with 151 points and four first-place votes. Iona was selected third with 143 points and one first-place vote, while Fairfield came in fourth with 135 points and one first-place vote. Marist and Quinnipiac tied for fifth with 109 points apiece, followed by Niagara (84), Manhattan (63), Mount St. Mary's (58), Saint Peter's (54), Merrimack (47), Canisius (37), and Rider (36) to round out the 13-team preseason poll.
The Pioneers' strong showing in the preseason poll was complemented by three selections to the Preseason All-Metro Team, including senior forward Ivan Morcillo. Morcillo earned preseason all-conference recognition after a standout 2025 campaign, appearing in 17 matches and totaling 15 points on seven goals and one assist. He recorded 37 shots, including 22 on goal, and was named to the All-Metro First Team.
Midfielder Danny Istambouli was also selected to the Preseason All-Metro Team after appearing in 15 matches last season. He finished with 16 points on six goals and four assists while registering 25 shots, 12 of which were on target. Istambouli earned All-Metro Second Team honors following the season.
Defender Daniel Losfablos rounds out Sacred Heart's preseason honorees after earning Metro Conference Defender of the Year recognition in 2025. He appeared in all 17 matches, scoring three goals for six points while totaling 19 shots, including 13 on frame. Losfablos was a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Metro Team following his standout defensive campaign.
The Pioneers enter the 2026 season looking to build on last year's conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance as they begin defending their title.
Up NextThe Pioneers' season opens on the road at Providence on August 20 at 7 PM.
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
Players Mentioned
Sunday, November 16
Thursday, November 13
Wednesday, November 05
Wednesday, October 29
