Merritt, Munson and Soudan Named Big Ten Men’s Soccer Players to Watch

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State men's soccer team had three players named to the 2026 Big Ten Players to Watch List, as announced by the conference office on Tuesday.

Senior midfielder Miles Merritt, junior defender Brandon Munson and sophomore midfielder Peter Soudan were all honored by the league.

Big things coming for these three! 👀

🗞️https://t.co/xX3q2xWXTV pic.twitter.com/EJNdNoGcVB
— Michigan State Men's Soccer (@MSU_MSoccer) August 18, 2026

The Big Ten preseason poll was also released Tuesday, as voted on by the 11 conference coaches. Defending national champion Washington was picked first, while Maryland and Indiana were voted second and third, respectively. Michigan State was picked to finish to finish 10th.

Merritt, a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, is in his second season at Michigan State after transferring from Incarnate Word. In 2025, he ended the season tied for the team lead with 10 points. He tied Richie Ludwig for the team lead in goals scored with four. Merritt was also named one of MSU's three captains.

Munson, a junior who hails from Spring Hill, Florida, started 11 games for the Spartans. He scored one goal with one assist for three points. He has been slowed down by injuries his first two seasons.

Soudan, a sophomore from Western Springs, Illinois, was named to the 2025 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He also earned a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman team last season. Soudan tied for the team lead in points scored with Merritt with 10 points. Last season, he led the team with four assists and added three goals.

Michigan State opens the regular season against UAlbany on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 7 p.m. at DeMartin Stadium.

2026 BIG TEN MEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
Josh Maher, Jr., D, Indiana
Stephane Njike, Jr., F, Indiana
Collins Oduro, Sr., F, Indiana
Leon Koehl, Sr., M, Maryland
Laurin Mack, Jr., GK, Maryland
Albi Ndrenika, Gr., M, Maryland
Will Baker, Sr., D, Michigan
Grayson Elmquist, Sr., F, Michigan
Nico Pendleton, Gr., M, Michigan
Miles Merritt, Sr., M, Michigan State
Brandon Munson, Jr., D, Michigan State
Peter Soudan, So., M, Michigan State
Andrew Millar, Gr., M, Northwestern
Aaron O'Reilly, So., F, Northwestern
Fritz Volmar, Sr., D, Northwestern
Isaiah Chisolm, Sr., F, Ohio State
Andre Roberts, Sr., M, Ohio State
Martin Wurschmidt, Jr., D, Ohio State
Joe Buckley, So., D, Penn State
Noah Förster, Jr., D, Penn State
Daniel Peluffo-Wiese, Fr., GK, Penn State
Nick Collins, Sr., D, Rutgers
Amer Lukovic, Gr., M, Rutgers
Rafa Ponce de Leon, Gr., GK, Rutgers
Philip Naef, Sr., M, UCLA
Oliver Roche, Sr., F, UCLA
Tre Wright, Sr., D, UCLA
Harrison Bertos, Sr., D, Washington
Alex Hall, Jr., M, Washington
Zach Ramsey, Jr., M, Washington
Ellis Jones, Sr., D, Wisconsin
Luke van Heukelum, Sr., F, Wisconsin
Matthew Zachemski, Jr., M, Wisconsin