BELTON, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's soccer team has been picked to finish first in the 2026 American Southwest Conference Preseason Poll following a vote by the league's head coaches and sports information directors.
The Cru received 10 first-place votes and looks to repeat as ASC regular-season champions after claiming that title in 2025. The Cru went 13-2-5 overall and 5-0-1 in conference play last year.
Hardin-Simmons, the 2025 ASC Champion, was selected to finish second this season with 53 points in the 2026 preseason standings. The Cowboys earned the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament last season and enter the 2026 season under first-year head coach Austin Guest. East Texas Baptist finished right behind HSU in third with 52 points, followed by Schreiner University in fourth with 28 points, McMurry in fifth with 27 points, and Howard Payne in sixth with 23 points.
Alex Bethke, a senior forward, was named Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and to the ASC Men's Soccer Players to Watch List. Bethke played in 17 games with 12 starts last year. He scored seven goals, including game-winners against Howard Payne (Nov. 6) and McMurry (Sept. 20). Bethke also had five assists during the season and totaled 20 shots with 13 on frame.
Hughston Taggart was also named to the ASC Men's Soccer Players to Watch List. Taggart, a sophomore goalkeeper from Salado, was named the 2025 ASC Goalkeeper of the Year. He played in nine games for the Cru last season, totaling 24 saves. Taggart gave up just 10 goals for a 1.16 goals per game average. Taggart earned six wins with one shutout, facing 78 total shots in the 2025 season.
UMHB opens the 2026 season against Concordia University Texas on September 1st in Round Rock, TX.
