Hempstead, NY - Defender Pietro Santi was selected the Preseason CAA Men's Soccer Player of the Year and the Pride were picked to finish first in the CAA North Division it was announced today by the league office. The voting was conducted by the league's 10 head coaches. 

Santi is one of just six returning players for the Pride and the only returning starter. He was a dominant force on the Pride's backline and helped anchor a Hofstra defense that allowed less than one goal per game and posted seven shutouts.

The Pride, who are ranked No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, received eight first place votes and 43 points to top the CAA North Division. Stony Brook and Monmouth each received one first place vote and earned 37 and 30 points, respectively. Elon is projected to win the South Division. The defending CAA champions totaled 45 points. UNCW received the other first place vote in the south and earned 32 points. 

Hofstra finished 14-5-1 in 2025 with a 7-1 mark in the CAA. The Pride advanced to the third round of the NCAA Championship and were ranked 20th in the nation in the final United Soccer Coaches Poll.  

Hofstra kicks off the 2026 campaign Thursday night at Bucknell. 

2026 CAA MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLLS AND AWARDS

Team (1st Place Votes) Points
North Division
Hofstra (8) 43 
Stony Brook (1) 37 
Monmouth (1) 30
Drexel 20
Northeastern 15

South Division
Elon (9) 45
UNCW (1) 32
Charleston 27
Campbell 21
William & Mary 20

CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Pietro Santi, Hofstra

2026 Preseason All-CAA Team

F-Victor Andersson, Monmouth
F-Martin Kozak, Elon
F-Matt Lenert, Charleston
F-Finlay Oliver, Stony Brook
F-Dominik Renz, Elon
M-Alex Fleury, Stony Brook
M-Morgan Worsfold-Gregg, Drexel
M-Osei Gyamfi, UNCW
M-Weston Jonke, Elon
D-Pietro Santi, Hofstra
D-Ben Baldwin, Charleston
D-Magnus Jacobsen, Elon
D-Jake Roberts, UNCW
GK-Trey Smiley, UNCW

Honorable Mentions: Stian Bendvold, M, Charleston; Jasen Bottini, F, Monmouth; Bryan Miralrio, F, UNCW; Gavin Carmichael, D, UNCW; Raul Garcia, D, Monmouth; Lennon Gill, F, Charleston; Ben Madore, M, Elon; Herman Johnsen, GK, Monmouth; Xander Martin, M, Campbell; Ethan Kang, M, Northeastern; Tiago Lima-Bittencourt, F, Drexel; Julian Pittaoulis, D, Drexel; Jaden Prado, D, Northeastern; Thor Sigurjonsson, M, William & Mary; Damian Taraska, D, Monmouth; Dan Toulson, D, Charleston