Voting is open NOW for the 2026 South Bend Tribune boys soccer preseason player of the year poll, which can be found at the bottom of this article. Readers can vote as many times as they would like until the poll closes Sunday, Aug. 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
More: Marian, Goshen headline expected powers in prep boys soccer this fall
These are the 15 nominees from nine different South Bend Tribune coverage area schools, listed in alphabetical order by school.
Nathan Schnaible, Bremen
The senior racked up 21 goals a season ago to earn INSC MVP honors. He also had five assists for the Lions, who won the conference title in 2025.
Jeremy Cruz, Concord
Cruz tallied 15 goals in 2025 to help his team win a Class 3A sectional title. The senior also had three assists and earned All-NLC honors.
Luis Barajas, Concord
Barajas was an All-NLC selection in 2025 as the defender was key for the Class 3A sectional winner Minutemen.
Karter Lopez, Elkhart
The senior goalie was one of the state's best a season ago. Elkhart, which won the NIC championship, allowed just six goals all season in 17 contests. Lopez allowed just three goals in 16 games with 37 saves and was honorable mention All-State.
Yuren Hernandez-Gutierrez, Goshen
Hernandez scored seven goals to help his team win the NLC title in 2025. The senior, All-NLC performer also had six assists as the RedHawks finished 15-2-1.
Bentley Medina, Goshen
Medina was a key performer with two goals and four assists a season ago as a junior. He earned All-NLC honors.
Luis Santos-Navarro, Mishawaka Marian
Santos netted six goals a season ago for the Knights. The senior also had nine assists and was an All-NIC selection and also third-team All-State.
Trey Fackelman, Mishawaka Marian
Fackelman, a defender/midfielder, earned All-NIC honors as a junior in 2025.
Landon Garcia, Northridge
Garcia had nine goals and added eight assists in a strong freshman season for the Raiders in 2025. He was an All-NLC honorable mention.
John Michel, Northridge
Michel was a talented defensive performer for the Raiders in 2025, earning All-NLC honors.
Lucas Eshowsky, Penn
Eshowsky was an All-NIC selection as a junior midfielder in 2025.
Evan Wilson, Penn
Wilson was a stalwart as a midfielder as a junior on the sectional runner-up Kingsmen squad.
Carlos Cubillo, South Bend Adams
Cubillo had five goals and four assists to help his team win Class 3A sectional and regional titles. He was a second-team All-NIC choice as a junior a season ago.
Antonio Juarez, South Bend Adams
Juarez tallied seven goals and five assists as a junior to earn first-team All-NIC honors for the Eagles.
Adam King, South Bend Saint Joseph
King was one of several key freshmen for the Huskies in 2025. He was second on the team with six goals as Saint Joseph won a Class 2A sectional title.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Vote for 2026 South Bend Tribune boys soccer preseason player of the year