Bannister Selected To Preseason All-SoCon Team
8/17/2026 3:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MACON – After an impressive freshman campaign that ended in All-Southern Conference First Team and All-Freshman Team honors, Eli Bannister was voted to the SoCon Preseason All-Conference Team by the league's coaches and announced by the SoCon on Monday afternoon.
The Preseason Coaches' Poll was also released on Monday and Mercer was picked to finish fourth in the now seven-team conference.
As a freshman defender, Bannister started in 16 of Mercer's 18 matches and played a total of 1,240 minutes. Bannister finished fourth on the Bears with seven points (two goals and three assists). The Fayetteville, Georgia, native earned SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors on October 21 last season after notching an assist in Mercer's 5-4 win over Wofford, assisting the Bears' opener against ETSU and scoring the game-winning goal in the 89th minute against the Buccaneers.
Mercer has 13 returners to go along with its 13 newcomers heading into the 2026 season. The trio of Ehi Aimiuwu, Will Taylor and Bryce Griffith combined for 19 points (five goals and nine assists) last year, while Anthony Thambwe, Manza Masamuna and Henry Hampshaw join Bannister as the Bears' key returning defensive players. Senior defender AJ Pama, junior forward Christopher Nezianya and junior midfielder Wilson Maselle headline Mercer's key transfers in the offseason.
The Bears finished second in the SoCon a year ago after a 3-1-1 record in league play.
Mercer opens the 2026 season against Florida Atlantic this Thursday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Betts Stadium. Admission is free.
2026 SoCon Preseason Men's Soccer Poll
First place votes in parentheses
1. Furman, 34 (4)
2. UNC Greensboro, 31 (2)
3. Liberty, 24 (1)
4. Mercer, 23
5. Wofford, 15
6. ETSU, 13
7. VMI, 7
2026 SoCon Preseason Men's Soccer All-Conference Team
F – Wilfer Bustamante, Jr., Furman
F – Steven Hernandez, R-Sr., UNC Greensboro
F – Declan Mettee, Sr., Wofford
M – Diego Hernandez, Sr., Furman
M – Luke Hutzell, Jr., Furman
M – Max Talley, Sr., Wofford
D – Braden Dunham, So., Furman
D – Eli Bannister, So., Mercer
D – Mohammed Sumaila, Jr., UNC Greensboro
D – Ryan Wagner, Jr., Furman
G – Seth Wilson, R-Sr., UNC Greensboro
G – Ivan Horvat, R-So., Furman
The Preseason Coaches' Poll was also released on Monday and Mercer was picked to finish fourth in the now seven-team conference.
As a freshman defender, Bannister started in 16 of Mercer's 18 matches and played a total of 1,240 minutes. Bannister finished fourth on the Bears with seven points (two goals and three assists). The Fayetteville, Georgia, native earned SoCon Offensive Player of the Week honors on October 21 last season after notching an assist in Mercer's 5-4 win over Wofford, assisting the Bears' opener against ETSU and scoring the game-winning goal in the 89th minute against the Buccaneers.
Mercer has 13 returners to go along with its 13 newcomers heading into the 2026 season. The trio of Ehi Aimiuwu, Will Taylor and Bryce Griffith combined for 19 points (five goals and nine assists) last year, while Anthony Thambwe, Manza Masamuna and Henry Hampshaw join Bannister as the Bears' key returning defensive players. Senior defender AJ Pama, junior forward Christopher Nezianya and junior midfielder Wilson Maselle headline Mercer's key transfers in the offseason.
The Bears finished second in the SoCon a year ago after a 3-1-1 record in league play.
Mercer opens the 2026 season against Florida Atlantic this Thursday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. at Betts Stadium. Admission is free.
2026 SoCon Preseason Men's Soccer Poll
First place votes in parentheses
1. Furman, 34 (4)
2. UNC Greensboro, 31 (2)
3. Liberty, 24 (1)
4. Mercer, 23
5. Wofford, 15
6. ETSU, 13
7. VMI, 7
2026 SoCon Preseason Men's Soccer All-Conference Team
F – Wilfer Bustamante, Jr., Furman
F – Steven Hernandez, R-Sr., UNC Greensboro
F – Declan Mettee, Sr., Wofford
M – Diego Hernandez, Sr., Furman
M – Luke Hutzell, Jr., Furman
M – Max Talley, Sr., Wofford
D – Braden Dunham, So., Furman
D – Eli Bannister, So., Mercer
D – Mohammed Sumaila, Jr., UNC Greensboro
D – Ryan Wagner, Jr., Furman
G – Seth Wilson, R-Sr., UNC Greensboro
G – Ivan Horvat, R-So., Furman
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