CLINTON, Miss. — After a historic 2025 campaign that saw the program advance to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, the Mississippi Christian men's soccer team is ranked No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Men's Preseason Top 25 Poll.

The Choctaws posted a 15-3-4 overall record last season and went unbeaten in Gulf South Conference play at 9-0-2 to claim the conference's regular-season championship. The Choctaws also made a memorable postseason run, defeating Florida Tech in the NCAA South Region before knocking off then-No. 2 Lynn, 3-1, in the national quarterfinals to earn the program's first appearance in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.

The breakthrough season came under first-year head coach Rafael Costa, who was named the Gulf South Conference Coach of the Year after guiding the Choctaws to one of the most successful campaigns in program history.

Mississippi Christian finished the 2025 season with victories over nationally ranked Florida Tech and Lynn. The Choctaws won nine matches away from home and suffered just one road loss all season.

Midwestern State holds the No. 1 spot in the preseason poll, followed by Rollins, Fort Hays State, Southern New Hampshire and Cal State Stanislaus to round out the top five.

The Choctaws begin the 2026 season with national expectations after last year's regular season championship and deep NCAA Tournament run, looking to build on one of the finest seasons in program history.