The Virginia Wesleyan University men's soccer team has been picked third in the 2025-26 ODAC Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league's 12 head coaches. The Marlins earned 96 points, placing them just behind University of Lynchburg and Washington and Lee University, who tied for first with 116 points each.

The Marlins are coming off an impressive 2024 season, posting a 13-4-3 overall record with a 7-2-1 mark in ODAC play. Offensively, VWU was dominant, scoring 43 goals while limiting opponents to just 15 goals all season. Virginia Wesleyan also out shot opponents 341–143, averaging over 17 attempts per match and consistently controlling the attacking flow of play.

The 2024 campaign was fueled by a core group of returning players. Nolan Schulte led the team with seven goals and two game-winners, while Zach Bittler added six goals with an efficient 51.5% shots-on-goal rate. Giovanni Zizza was a key playmaker, tallying a team-high seven assists along with five goals, and Ilan Mejia generated a constant attacking presence, leading the team with 48 shots and contributing three goals and five assists.

Virginia Wesleyan will officially open the season at home on Friday, August 29, at 7:00 PM against Dickinson College at Foster Field at the Tassos Paphites Soccer Complex.

ODAC 2025-26 Men's Soccer Preseason Poll