LONG BEACH, Calif. -- The Pacific West Conference has released the next preseason poll today, as men's soccer caps the week's releases.  The Lions placed second in 2025 and have been slotted into that spot again by the coaches of the PacWest, with VU picking up two first-place votes for 82 points, the best preseason ranking for the squad after two years in the league.  Point Loma was placed atop the league with seven first-place nods and 96 points.
 
Behind VU, Hawaii Hilo had 80 points in third, and CUI had one first-place vote and 71 points to take fourth place, with Westmont in fifth.  PLNU is the only PacWest team in the top 25 in the preseason United Soccer Coaches rankings, having been tagged in seventh.  UHH got some votes to start the year unofficially in 29th.
 
The Blue and Gold face a tough test in the season opener on August 27 at 4:00 p.m., as #20 CSU Dominguez Hills comes to Costa Mesa.  The team then has its lone road trip during the nonconference slate at CSULA on August 29 at 7:00 p.m., with CSU San Marcos, Cal Poly Pomona, CSU Monterey Bay, East Bay, and PLNU all coming to campus before PacWest games begin.