Lehigh University Athletics
Kinnunen and Sheeler Win Preseason Major Awards, Lehigh Picked Third in Patriot League Preseason Poll
8/13/2026 11:03:00 AM | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League released its Preseason Men's Soccer Preseason Honors on Thursday morning. The Mountain Hawks were picked to finish in third place, junior Anton Kinnunen was named Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, and senior Trey Sheeler earned Preseason Midfielder of the Year honors.
Lehigh enters the 2026 campaign ranked third in the preseason poll while receiving one first-place vote. The Mountain Hawks finished second in the Patriot League regular season standings a year ago with a record of 9-5-6 and a league mark of 5-1-3. The team produced six all-league honorees and made a run to the Patriot League Championship game.
Kinnunen excelled as a sophomore in 2025 in his first season as the starting goalkeeper. The Kemi, Finland product tallied 71 saves with a save percentage of .710 and a goals against average of 1.45 per game. Kinnunen recorded four clean sheets last season, including a massive 1-0 result over Boston University in the Patriot League semifinal.
A third team All-Patriot League selection from a season ago, Sheeler tallied six points in 2025, scoring two goals with two assists. Both of Sheeler's goals were game winners (Loyola Maryland 9/13, Boston U. 10/25). Sheeler started all 16 of his appearances last season while logging 1,074 minutes. Sheeler has started all 49 of his career appearances and played in over 3,900 minutes for the brown and white.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2026 campaign at home on Friday, August 21 at 8 p.m. against La Salle.
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Preseason All-League Team
Jubril Bamgbala, Army West Point, F, Sr.
Andrea Di Blasio, Boston University, F, Sr.
Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F, Jr.
Oliver Snowdon, American, M, Jr.
Pharis Petrica, Boston University, M, Jr.
Cade Maglione, Lafayette, M, Jr.
Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M, Sr.
Ian Webb-Johnson, American, D, Sr.
Kelly Cooper, Army West Point, D, Sr.
Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D, Sr.
Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, GK, Jr.
Preseason Major AwardsÂ
Preseason Forward of the Year - Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F
Preseason Midfielder of the Year - Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M
Preseason Defender of the Year - Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year - Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, GK
Preseason Poll
1. American 76 (5)
2. Boston University 70 (1)
3. Lehigh 62 (1)
4. Bucknell 57 (2)
5. Lafayette 44 (1)
6. Army West Point 42
7. Loyola Maryland 33
8. Colgate 32
9. Navy 20Â
10. Holy Cross 14
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Lehigh enters the 2026 campaign ranked third in the preseason poll while receiving one first-place vote. The Mountain Hawks finished second in the Patriot League regular season standings a year ago with a record of 9-5-6 and a league mark of 5-1-3. The team produced six all-league honorees and made a run to the Patriot League Championship game.
Kinnunen excelled as a sophomore in 2025 in his first season as the starting goalkeeper. The Kemi, Finland product tallied 71 saves with a save percentage of .710 and a goals against average of 1.45 per game. Kinnunen recorded four clean sheets last season, including a massive 1-0 result over Boston University in the Patriot League semifinal.
A third team All-Patriot League selection from a season ago, Sheeler tallied six points in 2025, scoring two goals with two assists. Both of Sheeler's goals were game winners (Loyola Maryland 9/13, Boston U. 10/25). Sheeler started all 16 of his appearances last season while logging 1,074 minutes. Sheeler has started all 49 of his career appearances and played in over 3,900 minutes for the brown and white.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2026 campaign at home on Friday, August 21 at 8 p.m. against La Salle.
Like Lehigh men's soccer on Facebook, follow on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for continued updates on the Mountain Hawks.
Preseason All-League Team
Jubril Bamgbala, Army West Point, F, Sr.
Andrea Di Blasio, Boston University, F, Sr.
Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F, Jr.
Oliver Snowdon, American, M, Jr.
Pharis Petrica, Boston University, M, Jr.
Cade Maglione, Lafayette, M, Jr.
Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M, Sr.
Ian Webb-Johnson, American, D, Sr.
Kelly Cooper, Army West Point, D, Sr.
Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D, Sr.
Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, GK, Jr.
Preseason Major AwardsÂ
Preseason Forward of the Year - Drew Roskos, Bucknell, F
Preseason Midfielder of the Year - Trey Sheeler, Lehigh, M
Preseason Defender of the Year - Jack Lucas, Bucknell, D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year - Anton Kinnunen, Lehigh, GK
Preseason Poll
1. American 76 (5)
2. Boston University 70 (1)
3. Lehigh 62 (1)
4. Bucknell 57 (2)
5. Lafayette 44 (1)
6. Army West Point 42
7. Loyola Maryland 33
8. Colgate 32
9. Navy 20Â
10. Holy Cross 14
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Players Mentioned
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Tuesday, August 19
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