HOUSTON,TX --The University of St. Thomas men's soccer team has been selected second in the 2025 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) preseason coaches' poll, earning one first-place vote and 127 total points.

The Celts enter the fall coming off another strong season that included a thrilling postseason run. In 2024, St. Thomas defeated Colorado College in the SCAC semifinals to advance to the championship match, marking the program's fifth straight trip to the conference final. Over that stretch, the Celts have captured three SCAC titles and established themselves as one of the league's most consistent postseason contenders.

Head coach Ernesto Ramirez's squad will look to build on that momentum this season, blending a core of proven returners with a group of talented newcomers and transfers that are eager to make their mark. He states, "I'm honored that the conference coaches have recognized UST among the top two teams in such a competitive league. That said, for us internally, preseason polls are just that, they don't define us. Our focus remains on preparing to compete every single game and embracing the opportunity to perform under pressure. I'm excited about our non-conference schedule, where we'll face strong programs that will challenge us early and help set the tone for conference play. Most importantly, we want to give our fans, our community, and our families a team they can be proud of, while putting ourselves in position for an NCAA Tournament run."

The 2025 season opens on Friday, August 29, with non-conference competition across Labor Day weekend taking on former SCAC opponent Trinity and Southwestern.  The Celts will have 5 matches to prepare for conference play that begins late September. The conference tournament, set for November 6–9 at the Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, will once again feature the top six teams battling for the league's automatic NCAA Tournament berth.

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