KINGSPORT, Tenn. | NSBNsports.com | August 14, 2026 — Columbia was picked to finish ninth in the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference men’s soccer preseason coaches poll released Tuesday.
The Koalas received 70 voting points, finishing six points behind eighth-place Spartanburg Methodist. Columbia posted a 4-4-4 conference record last season and earned the No. 6 seed in the AAC Tournament with 16 points.
Defending regular-season and tournament champion Union Commonwealth received 10 first-place votes and led the poll with 158 points. The Bulldogs are seeking their third consecutive regular-season championship.
The complete preseason poll:
1. Union Commonwealth (10 first-place votes), 158 points
2. Milligan (1), 136
3. Truett McConnell, 130
4. Tennessee Wesleyan, 127
5. Pikeville (1), 113
6. Reinhardt, 100
7. Columbia International (1), 93
8. Spartanburg Methodist, 76
9. Columbia, 70
10. Bryan, 60
11. Johnson, 45
12. Montreat, 44
13. Bluefield, 30
The top eight teams will advance to the AAC Tournament, which begins Nov. 3. The championship match is scheduled for Nov. 11.
This report includes information released by Columbia College and the Appalachian Athletic Conference.
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