KANSAS CITY, MO – Following a 6-1-1 start to the 2026 season, the Francis Marion University men's soccer program debuted at No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Top 25 poll on Tuesday afternoon (Sept. 22).

Under the direction of eighth year head coach Luis Rincon, the Patriots have played a highly competitive opening eight matches, including facing a pair of nationally-ranked opponents. Francis Marion is currently riding a five-game winning streak following a 3-1 victory over Belmont Abbey College on Saturday. Francis Marion last received votes on Aug. 5, 2025 in the preseason poll, and the last national ranking of #22 in the Dec. 19, 2019 final poll.

FMU returns to Conference Carolinas play tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 23, when it hosts Barton College starting at 7 p.m. on Hartzler Field. The Patriots will travel to Emmanuel University on Saturday, Sept. 26, with kickoff set for 5 p.m.

Additionally, the Patriots moved up three spots in the Southeast Region rankings to No. 3, with just the University of North Georgia and Anderson University ranked higher.

Francis Marion has been one of the top offensive units in NCAA Division II, ranking seventh with 19 total assists and 11th in goal differential (+12). The Patriots also sit 15th nationally with 55 total points, which paces the Conference Carolinas this year. Defensively, FMU has only surrendered six goals while limiting five opponents to eight shots or fewer.

Individually, junior forward Jose Coutinho (4 G, 2 A) and senior forward Lucas Vila (4 G, 2 A) are tied for the team lead with 10 points, while 15 different Patriots have registered a point in 2026. Coutinho ranks second in NCAA Division II with three game-winning goals, while senior forward Volkan Celikkol sits 17th in the country with four assists.