X-Men, CAPERS share top spot in 2025 AUS Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll

(HALIFAX, N.S.) Coming off their 2024 AUS championship season, the STFX X-Men will begin 2025 ranked No. 1 in the AUS Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll—though they won't stand alone. The defending champions share the top spot with the Cape Breton CAPERS, as both teams finished tied with 74 points in the annual vote.

STFX collected seven first-place votes, while the CAPERS picked up two. The UNB REDS came in third with 59 points, followed by the Dalhousie Tigers (52 points, one first-place vote) and the UPEI Panthers (43 points) rounding out the top five.

The Saint Mary's Huskies earned 38 points to place sixth, while the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus (35) and the Memorial Sea-Hawks (30) finished seventh and eighth. The Acadia Axemen (26) and the Mount Allison Mounties (19) complete the preseason rankings.

All 10 AUS men's soccer teams will hit the pitch tonight, with each opening match scheduled for 7:30 p.m. AT as part of season-opening doubleheaders alongside the women's games.

The slate includes Memorial visiting Dalhousie, the defending champion X-Men hosting the CAPERS in Antigonish, Acadia traveling to face the UNB REDS, Université de Moncton meeting UPEI in Charlottetown, and Mount Allison taking on Saint Mary's in Halifax.