BOSTON – The University at Albany men's soccer team has been picked to finish fourth in the 2026 America East Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced on Tuesday. The Great Danes also placed three student-athletes on the America East Preseason All-Conference Team, the second-most selections among the league's eight programs.

Senior midfielder Ivar Gissurarson, sophomore midfielder Alexander Clive, and junior defender Rodrigo Hermelo each earned preseason all-conference recognition.

Bryant claimed the top spot in the preseason poll with 47 points and six first-place votes, while defending America East champion Vermont finished second with 44 points and two first-place votes. New Hampshire was selected third with 34 points, edging UAlbany's 33 points. UMBC (27), UMass Lowell (19), NJIT (12), and Binghamton (8) rounded out the poll.

Ivar Gissurarson
Gissurarson earns Preseason All-Conference recognition after a standout junior campaign in which he was named to the United Soccer Coaches Division I Men's Second Team All-Northeast Region and Second Team All-America East. The Reykjavik, Iceland, native started 16 matches and led the Great Danes with six goals and 14 points while adding two assists. He recorded 34 shots with 20 on goal and earned America East Offensive Player of the Week honors on Oct. 6 after scoring twice in a road victory at New Hampshire.

Alexander Clive
Clive earns his first America East Preseason All-Conference selection after being named to the America East All-Rookie Team following his freshman campaign in 2025. The sophomore midfielder appeared in all 17 matches with 13 starts, totaling three goals and three assists for nine points while placing 10 of his 20 shots on goal. The Reykjavik, Iceland, native closed the season strong, recording points in three of UAlbany's final four matches, including a goal in the America East Championship semifinal against UMass Lowell.

Rodrigo Hermelo
Hermelo rounds out UAlbany's three preseason selections after making an immediate impact during his first season with the Great Danes. The junior defender appeared in all 17 matches with 11 starts, contributing two goals and three assists while logging nearly 1,200 minutes. The Guadalajara, Spain, native recorded a goal and an assist in UAlbany's conference victory at New Hampshire while anchoring the back line throughout the season.

2026 America East Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
School – Points (First-Place Votes)

1. Bryant – 47 (6)
2. Vermont – 44 (2)
3. New Hampshire – 34
4. UAlbany – 33
5. UMBC – 27
6. UMass Lowell – 19
7. NJIT – 12
8. Binghamton – 8

 
2026 America East Men's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team
Forward

• Xahvi DeRoza – New Hampshire
• Brady Geho – Bryant
• Ivar Gissurarson – UAlbany
• David Ismail – Vermont

Midfield

• Alexander Clive – UAlbany
• Fernando Delgado – Bryant
• Paco Fernandez – Bryant

Defense

• Rodrigo Hermelo – UAlbany
• Christien Merritt – Bryant
• Jojo Ocran – Bryant
• Max Voigt – New Hampshire

Goalkeeper

• Niklas Herceg – Vermont

UAlbany opens the 2026 season on Aug. 20 with a road contest at Michigan State before returning home for its home opener against FDU on Aug. 27 at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium. The Great Danes' 17-match regular-season schedule features 10 non-conference contests throught the season, with America East play begining in late September.
 
Social Central: For more information on the UAlbany men's soccer team, follow the squad's official social media accounts on X and Instagram and UAlbany Athletics on Facebook.