Rock Hill, S.C. – The Big South Conference announced the 2026 Men’s Soccer Preseason Players To Watch as five Eagles made the list.
The Eagles had nearly a full roster turnover as they begin the Dale Parker era in 2026.
Making the list are forwards Villads Baden, Pablo Ortega, midfielder Sam Crolla and defenders Cody Read and Josh Murray. This group is part of 22 new players to the roster for the 2026 season.
Baden scored 20 goals in 19 games for Itawamba C.C. on his way to Player of the Year honors in the MACCC. Crolla and Murray are two defenders that followed Parker from Lander to the Winthrop program. Read comes to the Eagles from Fairfield where he was an all-conference performer. Ortega spent last season at Mount Mercy where he led the team with 14 goals and earned all-conference honors.
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Below are the Preseason Players To Watch for 2026, listed by position and presented in alphabetical order by school.
FORWARDS – Name, School
Daniel Lugo, High Point
Prosper Adagani, High Point
Brando Bedolla, Longwood
Mesfin Roda, Longwood
Kenshin Akimoto, Presbyterian
Tyler Ware, UNC Asheville
Arnor Hardarson, UNC Asheville
Villads Baden, Winthrop
Pablo Ortega, Winthrop
MIDFIELDERS – Name, School
Koven Johnson, High Point
Ezrah Seralde, Longwood
Aristhid Kamdjin, Longwood
AJ Acree, Presbyterian
Ali Merghemi, Presbyterian
Kenjy Vertil-Dorelus, Presbyterian
Charlie Wood, UNC Asheville
Oscar Kelly, USC Upstate
Henry Burt, USC Upstate
Sam Crolla, Winthrop
DEFENDERS – Name, School
Roman Holt, High Point
Benjamin Ferrero, Longwood
Lennart Granzow, UNC Asheville
Jalen Moore, USC Upstate
Cody Read, Winthrop
Josh Murray, Winthrop
GOALKEEPERS – Name, School
Josh Caron, High Point
Ben Miller, Radford
Lucca Barros, UNC Asheville
Jarrett Wuerslin, USC Upstate
Story courtesy of Winthrop Athletics.
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Thomas Hyslip lives in Tega Cay with his wife and daughter. After 27 years in the U.S. Army and Federal Law Enforcement, he retired to pursue his passion for teaching. Tom is now an Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of South Florida. In 2 short years he has won 10 awards from the South Carolina Press Association, including first place in column writing, education beat reporting and best podcast.
