MIDDLETOWN, CT. — The Wesleyan University men's soccer team has reached the top spot in the national rankings for the first time in program history, marking a historic milestone for Wesleyan as United Soccer Coaches release the first national polls of the 2026 season.
The Cardinals become the 26
th NCAA Division III program to reach No. 1 in the polls, doing so after a monumental defeat of the reigning national champions, Tufts University, in just the second game of the season. Now 3-0-1 on the season, the Cardinals' combination of consistent, strong team play and defensive prowess has propelled the squad to the summit as Tufts dropped to No. 18.
Returning 28 players from a historic 2025 season, head coach
Geoff Wheeler, the NESCAC Coach of the Year, welcomed a 10-man freshmen class. The Cardinals boast a significantly dominate starting lineup featuring All-NESCAC selections
Zach Feldman '27,
Yousuf Saeed '27, and
Joshwin Jennings '27. Junior goalkeeper
Sam Adiutori '28 holds a 2-0-1 record.
The Cardinals reached the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament in 2025 after entering the tournament as an at-large bid and finishing as the #2 seed in the NESCAC with ranked wins over Amherst and Williams.
Returning to action on Saturday, Sept. 19, the Cardinals will face Bowdoin on the road.
