RICHMOND, Va. – Monmouth University men's soccer junior forward Victor Andersson was named to the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Preseason Team voted on by the league's head coaches. 
 
Andersson was one of five Hawks honored as junior forward Jasen Bottini, senior defender Raul Garcia, sophomore defender Damian Taraska and sophomore goalkeeper Herman Johnsen were all named Preseason All-CAA Honorable Mention.
 
In addition, the Hawks were picked to finish third in the CAA North Division. The Hawks received 30 points and one first place vote. Hofstra and Stony Brook claimed the top two spots in the north.
 
Andersson was honored by the coaches to start the year for the second straight season. He was an honorable selection last preseason. Andersson is coming off back-to-back seasons with seven points (3g, 1a). He has four career game-winning goals, including last year's road win at Drexel. Andersson scored a career-high two goals in last year's tie with Stony Brook.
 
Bottini was recognized for the first time in his career. He appeared in 10 matches last year and recorded seven points on three goals and one assist. He was named the CAA Player of the Week after tallying the game-winner at Iona and two-goals in the road win at Drexel. 
 
Garcia made an immediate impact in his first season with the Hawks last year. He led a defensive unit that held 14 of 16 opponents to two goals or less. Garcia was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Week after scoring the game-winner at Hofstra.
 
Taraska was a key player in his first season on defense for the Hawks. He was ranked on the TopDrawer Soccer Top 100 Freshmen List both in the midseason and postseason. Taraska scored at Iona and held 13 opponents to two goals or less.
 
Johnsen finished with a 1.40 goals against average and a .778 save percentage in 900 minutes in his first season with the Hawks. He was named the CAA Rookie of the Week after posting a season-high eight saves against Northeastern. Johnsen held six of his 10 opponents to one goal or less.
 
The Hawks open the 2026 season on Thursday, August 20 when they host Iona at 7:00 p.m. 

 2026 CAA MEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLLS AND AWARDS 

North Division (First-Place Votes)	Points		South Division (First-Place Votes)	Points
Hofstra (8)	43		Elon (9)	45
Stony Brook (1)	37		UNCW (1)	32
Monmouth (1)	30		Charleston	27
Drexel	20		Campbell	21
Northeastern	15		William & Mary	20

CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Pietro Santi, Hofstra
 

Preseason All-CAA Team
Player	Team	Pos.	Class	Hometown
Victor Andersson	Monmouth	F	Jr.	Örebro, Sweden
Martin Kozak	Elon	F	Sr.	Santiago, Chile
Matt Lenert	Charleston	F	Sr.	Falls Church, Va.
Finlay Oliver	Stony Brook	F	Sr.	Oneonta, N.Y.
Dominik Renz	Elon	F	R-Jr.	Ulm, Germany
Alex Fleury	Stony Brook	M	Sr.	Lachine, Quebec, Canada
Morgan Worsfold-Gregg	Drexel	M	Jr.	London, England
Osei Gyamfi	UNCW	M	Jr.	Kumasi, Ghana
Weston Jonke	Elon	M	Jr.	Cleveland, Ohio
Ben Baldwin	Charleston	D	Jr.	Dallas, Texas
Magnus Jacobsen	Elon	D	So.	Silkeborg, Denmark
Jake Roberts	UNCW	D	Sr.	Huntersville, N.C.
Pietro Santi	Hofstra	D	Grad.	Civitavecchhia, Italy
Trey Smiley	UNCW	GK	R-Jr.	Lynden, Wash.

Honorable Mentions: Stian Bendvold, M, Charleston; Jasen Bottini, F, Monmouth; Bryan Miralrio, F, UNCW; Gavin Carmichael, D, UNCW; Raul Garcia, D, Monmouth; Lennon Gill, F, Charleston; Ben Madore, M, Elon; Herman Johnsen, GK, Monmouth; Xander Martin, M, Campbell; Ethan Kang, M, Northeastern; Tiago Lima-Bittencourt, F, Drexel; Julian Pittaoulis, D, Drexel; Jaden Prado, D, Northeastern; Thor Sigurjonsson, M, William & Mary; Damian Taraska, D, Monmouth; Dan Toulson, D, Charleston 
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