FOREST, Va. (BC Athletics) – The Bridgewater College men’s soccer team was selected fourth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference’s Preseason Poll released on Thursday.
The University of Lynchburg took the top spot with 11 first-place votes (121 points), while Washington and Lee received the remaining first-place vote and finished second (111 pts.). Hampden-Sydney followed in third (101 pts.), while Bridgewater rounded out the top four (84 pts.) Batten (79 pts.), Randolph-Macon (61 pts.), Roanoke (57 pts.), Shenandoah (56 pts.), Randolph (48 pts.), Eastern Mennonite (41 pts.), Guilford (18 pts.) and Averett (15 pts.) completed the 12-team poll.
Bridgewater enters 2026 looking to build on a successful campaign. The Eagles finished 12-5-2 overall and 6-2-1 in ODAC play in 2025, earning the fourth seed in the ODAC Tournament. BC defeated Virginia Wesleyan 1-0 in the ODAC quarterfinals, before falling to nationally ranked Lynchburg in the semifinals.
The Eagles return a strong group of goalkeepers in Zane Kowalski, Davis Bashore, and Issac Arenas, looking to maintain coverage between the pipes. Bridgewater also welcomes a talented group of first-years as the Eagles look to add depth and competition throughout the roster.
Defensively, Noa Denno, Leyden Mongold and Matthew Brand-Jimenez return to anchor the Eagles’ back line. Mongold earned All-ODAC Third Team honors as a freshman in 2025 after starting 19 contests, while Denno, who started in every competition, and Brand-Jimenez were key contributors to a defensive unit that helped Bridgewater reach the conference semifinals.
Offensively, the Eagles return a trio of key contributors in Anthony Medrano, Riley Queen and reigning ODAC Offensive Player of the Year Trey Widrick. Widrick earned First Team All-ODAC honors in 2025 after leading the conference in goals with 11, shots with 63, shots on goal with 39 and points with 28. Queen also earned First Team All-ODAC recognition after ranking second in the conference in goals with 10 and third in points with 21.
Reigning ODAC Coach of the Year Ryan Bennison enters the 2026 season looking to continue the momentum built during last year’s historic campaign. Bennison and his coaching staff led the Eagles to 12 victories, tying the top mark in program history. The honor marked the first ODAC Coach of the Year award of Bennison’s career at Bridgewater and the first for an Eagles head coach since 2003.
Bridgewater opens the 2026 season with a pair of home matches, hosting Mary Baldwin on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m. before welcoming Wilson on Wednesday, Sept. 2 at 4 p.m. The Eagles then travel to Lycoming on Sept. 6 before returning home for three consecutive matches against Southern Virginia, Gettysburg and Marymount.
— BC Athletics —
