BOCA RATON, Fla. — The No. 10 Mississippi Christian University men's soccer team opens the 2026 season Thursday with a nationally ranked matchup, traveling to face No. 8 Lynn at Bobby Campbell Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
The season opener marks a rematch of last year's NCAA Division II quarterfinal, when the Choctaws defeated Lynn 3-1 to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in program history.
Mississippi Christian enters the season ranked No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Preseason Top 25 after a historic 2025 campaign. The Choctaws finished 15-3-4 overall and went unbeaten in Gulf South Conference play at 9-0-2, claiming the program's first GSC regular-season championship.
The Choctaws continued their run through the NCAA Tournament, defeating Florida Tech in the South Region before knocking off then-No. 2 Lynn in the national quarterfinals.
The 2025 campaign also marked the first season under head coach Rafael Costa, who was named GSC Coach of the Year after guiding Mississippi Christian to one of the most successful seasons in program history.
Mississippi Christian was picked to finish second in the 2026 GSC preseason coaches poll, receiving 90 points and six first-place votes. AUM was selected first with 94 points and four first-place votes.
The Choctaws also led the conference with three selections to the GSC Preseason All-Conference Team. Senior defender Gage Sorey, junior defender Alvaro Pena and sophomore midfielder Luke Nolan were selected to the preseason team.
Sorey earned First Team All-GSC honors in 2025, while Pena was named to the second team. The Choctaws also had three newcomers — freshmen Lian Feridani, Karim Gegg and Harry McLean — named to the conference's Newcomers to Watch list.
Lynn enters Thursday's matchup ranked No. 8 nationally and was selected as the preseason favorite in the Sunshine State Conference. The Fighting Knights are coming off a 14-3-2 season in 2025 that included an SSC Tournament championship and an NCAA Division II postseason appearance.
Lynn returns several key contributors from last year's squad, including D2CCA South Region Player of the Year and SSC Offensive Player of the Year Dominik N'Gatie, as well as Robin Muenst, Fabian Vyhnalek, Luan Barroso Rennstich and reigning SSC Freshman of the Year Thiago De Carvalho.
The Fighting Knights have also added several talented newcomers, including forward Fabian Wagner, defender Marc Vila and Charleston transfer Joao Silva.
Thursday's matchup gives Mississippi Christian an immediate test against one of the nation's top teams and provides the Choctaws an opportunity to begin the 2026 season against a familiar opponent.
The game is the first of two non-conference matches for Mississippi Christian before GSC play begins Sept. 11-13.
MATCH INFORMATION
No. 10 Mississippi Christian at No. 8 Lynn
Date: Thursday, Aug. 27
Time: 2 p.m. CST
Location: Bobby Campbell Stadium | Boca Raton, Fla.
Live Stream: Sunshine State Conference TV
Live Stats: Live Stats
