RICHARDSON, Texas - UT Dallas was predicted to finish third in the Lone Star Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll, as announced by the league on Tuesday. LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members vote on the preseason poll and preseason players of the year.

The Comets received 290 points and two of the available 33 first-place votes after finishing as the league's runner-up with an 11-5-2 overall mark and 7-2-1 record in conference play. UTD defeated eventual national champion Midwestern State 2-0 on the road in 2025.

MSU were predicted to repeat as LSC champions with 351 points and 30 first-place votes, followed by St. Edward's with 293 points. Lubbock Christian were picked fourth out of 11 teams with 241 points and one first-place vote.

Jason Hirsch, entering his 14th season at the helm of the Comets, returns eight starters and 15 total players from last year's squad. 

Having been granted full-member status in NCAA Division II in July, UTD will be able to compete in the postseason for the first time since 2023. 

Three Comets were among the 31 student-athletes listed on the LSC's Player to Watch list - senior forward Avery Brazzell, junior goalkeeper Ryder Claborn and sophomore defender Callum Thompson.

Brazzell, from Shady Shores, Texas, was an All-LSC Third Team selection last season. He recorded five goals and two assists and was tied for second in the league with three game-winning goals.

Claborn, of Lawton, Okla., was also a Third Team all-conference pick in 2025. He recorded 43 saves, a 0.79 goals against average, a .796 save percentage and seven shutouts. Claborn was second in the LSC in goals against average.

Thompson, from Maumelle, Ark., was an All-LSC First Team and All-South Central Region Second Team selection as the team captain during his freshman campaign. He posted three goals, including a pair of game-winners, two assists, and contributed to eight shutouts.

Also returning are seniors Josh Zemanski, Julio De Los Reyes, Evan Pustejovsky and Tabor Robinson; juniors Carson Burden and Osi Iyamah; and sophomores Jordan Jones, Caiden Jurek, Marcel Zouzouambe, Morgan English, Gino Sasso and Samuel Lozano. Jones was an All-LSC Second Team selection last year, while Pustejovsky was on the Third Team. 

Joining the Comets for the 2026 campaign are transfers Tim Mietenkorte, Jonathan Sorto, Patrick Banich, Itzak Sandoval, Yannis Benae, Owen Lagerway, Tyler Leonard, Alexis Cruz, Jose Diaz, Parker Bowman, Aaron Pondeca, Seb Martinez, Luca Foschi and Nathan Martinez. The freshman class includes George Eddy, Gabriel Carrasco, Ossian Elgström, Gavin Vo, Max Pregeant and Christian Velasco. 

The Comets will play their final exhibition game on Sunday, August 23 against Richland at the UTD Soccer Field. The regular season will start on August 27 against Colorado Mesa at home, followed by Cal State East Bay on August 29. The first week of September will feature a trip to the Aloha State where they will play Hawai'i-Hilo, Hawaii Pacific and Chaminade. UTD will return home for a non-conference game with Northeastern State on September 10, then wrap up non-conference play at Ouachita Baptist (September 12), at Sul Ross State (September 17), and at Texas A&M International (September 19). The Lone Star schedule commences on September 23 at Oklahoma Christian. The Comets will play five home conference contests, beginning with DBU on September 30. Other big home matches include #1 Midwestern State on October 10, St. Edward's on October 21 and the regular season finale against UT Tyler on October 28.

The six-team LSC men's soccer tournament is scheduled for Oct. 31 (quarterfinals), Nov. 4 (semifinals) and Nov. 7 (final). The quarterfinals will be held on campus of the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds; the semifinals are hosted by the No. 1 and No. 2 seed; and title match will be hosted by the highest remaining seed.

Check out UTD's schedule page and promotions schedule for more information. 

All LSC soccer regular season and tournament matches can be viewed live on FloCollege. Monthly, yearly and family subscriptions are available.

LSC Release