RUSSELLVILLE, Ark.- The Great American Conference released its preseason men's soccer poll, with the Jets earning 23 points to secure the No.3 spot, tying with Southern Nazarene.
Nationally ranked Fort Hays State (No. 3) took the top spot in the poll, receiving four first place votes and a total of 34 points. Rogers State, also a national ranked squad (No. 6), took the second spot in the poll just one point shy of the Tigers. Northeastern State, Ouachita Baptist, and Harding rounded out the coaches' ballots.
2026 GAC/MIAA Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll
1. Fort Hays State (4) 34
2. Rogers State (3) 33
t3. Newman 23
t3. Southern Nazarene 23
5. Northeastern State 15
6. Ouachita Baptist 13
7. Harding 6
Head Coach
Victor Domingues enters into his fourth season with the Jets. Domingues has led Newman to two straight MIAA/GAC Postseason Tournament appearances. Last season the Jets ended their season in the semifinals of the GAC/MIAA Postseason Tournament to No. 13 Rogers State in penalty kicks with a final score of 2-2 (0-2). The Jets posted an overall record of 7-5-7, going 4-4-4 in conference play.
The Jets return First Team All-GAC performer,
Yohsuke Ono. Last season, Ono earned GAC Player of the Week honors after a standout performance in which he recorded two goals, two assists, and six shots over 149 minutes of play. Ono's 45 shots ranked second in the conference, while his season totals included four goals, four assists, and 12 points across 1,420 minutes. He notched a season-high four points against William Jewell in a 4-1 win, contributing a goal and two assists.
Daiki Okada, who earned All-GAC Honorable Mention last season, returns for the 2026 season. Okada tallied five assists on the year, with two goals. Okada recorded 1,438 minutes, 33 shots, and 11 shots on goal. Okada scored two points in three games this season, tallying two assists against William Jewell, two points against Midwestern State, and two points against Fort Hays State. His game high assists were two in the game against MSU in September. In the conference, Okada finished ninth in total shots. Ono and Okada also earned all-region nods last season.
Newman opens their season with six road non-conference contests. August 27th is the Jets season opener, where they will visit William Jewell. Newman will follow this with the slate as followed: Rockhurst, Oklahoma Christian, CSU Pueblo, Lubbock Christian, and wrap up non-conference play against West Texas A&M. The Jets conference opener in September 17th, where they will host Northeastern State. The Jets will then host Rogers State on Saturday September 19th before heading out on the road to face Ouachita Baptist followed by Harding. The Jets will then return home for a contest against Southern Nazarene before hitting the road for a three game road stint against FHSU, NSU, and RSU. This three game road stint is followed by a three game home stint, where Newman will host FHSU, HU, and OBU. Newman will then wrap up regular season play hosting SNU on October 31st at 6 PM.
The regular season champion hosts the GAC/MIAA conference tournament November 5-7 with the top four squads qualifying for the event.
