Two-time defending regular season and tournament champion SIUE has been predicted the preseason favorite ahead of the 2025 OVC men's soccer season.
The Cougars, who claimed both championships during each the 2023 and 2024 seasons, picked up 14 of 16 first-place votes and 98 points in the poll of league head coaches and communications directors. SIUE is 17-1-2 in Conference play in the first two years of men's soccer in the OVC.
HCU, who lost to SIUE in double overtime in last year's tournament title game, picked up the other two first-place votes and 69 points in being tabbed second. They were followed by Lindenwood (67), Liberty (64), UIW (55), Western Illinois (39), Eastern Illinois (38) and Southern Indiana (18).
The top six teams in the standings will qualify for the 2025 OVC Men’s Soccer Championship Tournament, which will take place November 9, 12 & 15 in St. Charles, Missouri on the campus of Lindenwood.
2025 OVC Men's Soccer Preseason Predicted Order of Finish
1. SIUE (14 first-place votes) - 98 points
2. HCU (2) - 69
3. Lindenwood - 67
4. Liberty - 64
5. UIW - 55
6. Western Illinois - 39
7. Eastern Illinois - 38
8. Southern Indiana - 18
Teams voted on by league head coaches and communications directors; teams received 7 points for a first-place votes, 6 for a second-place vote, etc. Voters could not vote for their own teams.
2025 OVC Men’s Soccer Players to Watch
Each team selected a "Player to Watch" to represent its team.
Eastern Illinois -
Yuki Nakamura (Midfielder, Senior)
HCU -
Ryan Okerayi (Forward, Junior)
Liberty -
Aidan Morrison (Midfielder, Sophomore)
Lindenwood -
Sebastià Cerdà Tous (Forward, Senior)
SIUE -
Archie McDonnell (Central Defender, R-Sophomore)
Southern Indiana -
David Davila (Forward, Sophomore)
UIW -
Rochaine Baker (Defender, Senior)
Western Illinois -
Liam Gainey (Forward, Senior)