CARMEL, Ind. -- The Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference has announced the results of the 2025 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll, conducted by the league's head coaches. The Rose-Hulman Fightin' Engineers have been selected as the preseason favorites to win the 2025 HCAC title. 

Rose-Hulman took the top spot in the preseason poll, receiving 74 points and three first-place votes. Transylvania followed closely behind in the standings, totaling 73 points and three first-place votes. Hanover rounded out the top three teams with 70 points and four first-place votes. 

The Fightin' Engineers won the regular season title last season. This was the 11th HCAC title in the program's history and the fifth in the last six years. The team's 2024 season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion with a loss to Anderson in the HCAC semifinal match with a final score of 2-1. 

The team returns three First Team All-Conference selections from last season, including Jacob Pohl, Ryan Shapiro, and Newcomer of the Year Cameron Hannah. The team is led by last year's HCAC Coach of the Year Sean Helliwell, who is entering his 18th season with the Fightin' Engineers. 

The HCAC has also highlighted Oliver Fila, Eli Miller, Peter Borger, and Aidan Kriek as players to watch for the upcoming season. 

Rose-Hulman will open its 2025 schedule on the road against Greenville on Friday, August 29, at 6 PM CT. 

HCAC PRESEASON POLL RESULTS:
1) Rose-Hulman - 74 (3)
2) Transylvania - 73 (3)
3) Hanover - 70 (4)
4) Anderson- 57
5) Manchester - 36
6) Berea - 33
T7) Earlham - 31
T7) Mount St. Joseph - 31
9) Bluffton - 27
10) Franklin - 18