BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Following a Patriot League regular season title in 2025, the American University men's soccer team has been voted to finish first in this year's conference preseason poll. Senior defender
Ian Webb-Johnson and junior midfielder
Oliver Snowdon represent AU on the Preseason All-League Team.
It's the first time that the Eagles have been selected as the league favorite since 2016, when they went 11-5-5 overall and reached the Patriot League Championship game. They've taken second or third in each of the last five preseason polls.
The Eagles earn their highest expectations in 10 years after a dominant run in conference play a season ago, going 7-1-1 on the way to their first regular season trophy since 2016. They outscored PL opponents 15-6 and went undefeated in the final four matches of the campaign.
AU has established itself as a perennial contender under head coach
Zach Samol, who has taken the Eagles to the postseason in six of his seven seasons—including a Patriot League Championship in 2020-21, and three total appearances in the PL final. The Eagles will look to capture their third piece of hardware under Samol in 2026.
Webb-Johnson is a returning Second Team All-Patriot League selection, putting in a quality year of work while anchoring AU's back line. The center back started every match and led the Eagles' defense to the third-lowest goals allowed per game in the PL at 1.06. The senior was named a team captain for the second straight season this year.
Snowdon has been one of American's most active and reliable midfielders over the last two seasons. Playing in the center of the pitch, he's logged over 2,000 minutes and tallied two assists. He was the only midfielder to start all 18 games last year.
21 returners join Webb-Johnson and Snowdon, including graduate senior
Sebastian Garces, who logged nine points and landed on the All-Patriot League Third Team in 2025.
The preseason poll and individual awards were voted on by the men's soccer coaches from each institution. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
Preseason All-League Team
Jubril Bamgbala, Army West Point, F, Sr.
Andrea Di Blasio, Boston University, F, Sr.
Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F, Jr.
Oliver Snowdon, American, M, Jr.
Pharis Petrica, Boston University, M, Jr.
Cade Maglione, Lafayette, M, Jr.
Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M, Sr.
Ian Webb-Johnson, American, D, Sr.
Kelly Cooper, Army West Point, D, Sr.
Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D, Sr.
Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, GK, Jr.
Preseason Major Awards
Preseason Forward of the Year - Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F
Preseason Midfielder of the Year - Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M
Preseason Defender of the Year - Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year - Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, GK
Preseason Poll
1. American 76 (5)
2. Boston University 70 (1)
3. Lehigh 62 (1)
4. Bucknell 57 (2)
5. Lafayette 44 (1)
6. Army West Point 42
7. Loyola Maryland 33
8. Colgate 32
9. Navy 20
10. Holy Cross 14
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