FOREST, Va. – The 2026 Old Dominion Athletic Conference men's soccer preseason rankings were unveiled on Thursday afternoon, in which Averett University was voted to finish 12th.
The University of Lynchburg, ODAC champions of the previous season, received 11 out of 12 first-place votes, as the Hornets were voted to finish at the top of the league table. Right behind, with the last first-place vote, is conference runners-up in Washington and Lee University. The third and last team to garner over 100 voting points, is Hampden-Sydney College. Bridgewater College and Batten University were slotted in fourth and fifth place, respectively.
Last season, the Cougars' record finished at 4-8-4, with a 2-6-1 ledger in conference contests. Averett finished just short of the eight-team ODAC tournament, in ninth place. The upcoming season welcomes a new crop of both players and coaches, as former Averett men's soccer player Bradley Bizzell '22 takes charge.
The Cougars' roster, over half, are freshman, with a key returning veteran class as the program enters a new era in 2026.
After various preseason contests, Averett officially opens the Bizzell era on Tuesday, Sept. 1, hosting William Peace University at Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium at 4 p.m. ODAC play opens up at Randolph-Macon College on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
2026 ODAC Preseason Men's Soccer Poll
| Rank |
Institution (1st-Place Votes) |
Pts. |
| 1. |
Lynchburg (11)^ |
121 |
| 2. |
Washington and Lee |
111 |
| 3. |
Hampden-Sydney |
101 |
| 4. |
Bridgewater |
84 |
| 5. |
Batten |
79 |
| 6. |
Randolph-Macon |
61 |
| 7. |
Roanoke |
57 |
| 8. |
Shenandoah |
56 |
| 9. |
Randolph |
48 |
| 10. |
Eastern Mennonite |
41 |
| 11. |
Guilford |
18 |
| 12. |
Averett |
15 |
^Defending champions
