RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Rogers State men's soccer has been picked to win the league in the 2023 GAC/MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference announced on Thursday.
 
The Hillcats were picked as the favorite to finish atop the standings with three of the seven first place votes and 33 total points.
 
Last season, RSU advanced to the GAC/MIAA Tournament Championship for the third time in four tries after finishing the regular season one point behind Southern Nazarene in the league standings. The Hillcats return eight of their 10 GAC/MIAA All-Conference honorees, headlined by their four First Team performers - George Robinson, Luke Morgan, Sebastian Hernandez and Declan Viljoen. Robinson led the team with six assists and 16 points. Morgan added three goals and three assists. Hernandez and Viljoen helped the Hillcats produce the top goals-against average in the league, 0.88, and tied for the lead with eight shutouts. Marcos Vasallo, the team's leader in goals, six, also returns.
 
Southern Nazarene finished second in the poll with two first place votes and 30 points. Fort Hays State (28 points, two first place votes), Northeastern State (23 points) and Harding (16 points) rounded out the top five. Newman and Ouachita Baptist were also featured in the poll garnering 10 and seven points, respectively.
 
The Hillcats open the 2023 campaign at home inside the friendly confines of Solider Field on Friday, Sept. 1 as the welcome Missouri S&T. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with season and single game tickets available at www.rsuhillcats.com/tickets.