TRAFFORD, Pa - On Thursday, the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) released their players to watch and preseason poll for men's soccer. The Cougars were picked to finish eighth in the conference. 

The Cougars received 61 points in the preseason poll coming off a tenth place finish in the PAC last season. The season featured 5 shutouts in conference play on the way to a 2-4-5 record in the PAC. They will be led by first year head coach Nick Taljan, who comes to Chatham after spending last season as an assistant coach at Yale University. The Cougars will look to return to the PAC tournament after missing out last season.

Chatham placed five players on the PAC Players to Watch list for the upcoming season, with midfielders Nico Gibbins and Caleb Manse along with defenders Charlie Ayers, Francis LaBarbera, and Garrett Peterson.

Gibbins enters his sophomore season with the Cougars after starting in 5 games last season and playing in 12.

Manse looks to become a key contributor in the midfield for his junior season after missing much of his last year, only appearing in 5 games. He was a consistent starter in 2024, scoring 1 goal in his 19 appearances in his freshman season.

Ayers is going into his third year with the Cougars after finishing last season with 1 goal and 1 assist. He also logged the most minutes played of any player with 1,490 in his 17 starts, earning him an All-PAC Honorable Mention distinction.

LaBarbera is entering his junior season after making appearances in 17 games last season and starting 5. 

Peterson started 15 games last season as a freshman and was one of only five players to appear in at least 18 matches. 

The Cougars will open the season on Tuesday September 1st at 7:00 PM when they welcome the Mount Union Purple Raiders at UPMC Graham Field.