TRAFFORD, Pa. (Aug. 20) -- Thiel College Men's Soccer players Bryce Bobich (Plum, Pa./Plum), Grant Becker (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted) and Mitchell Strauss (Bradford, Pa./Bradford Area) were named Players to Watch for the upcoming 2026 season by the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Thursday afternoon.

Bobich, a sophomore, appeared in 14 matches for Thiel while starting in six last season. 

A senior, Becker earned PAC Honorable Mention and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors at the end of the 2025 season. The midfielder started in all 18 matches, dished out an assist and helped anchor the Tomcat defense. 

Strauss, a junior, also earned PAC Honorable Mention and College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honors at the end of last season. The forward led the team with three assists, while scoring two goals to total seven points. Strauss recorded the game-winning goal and an assist in a thrilling 3-2 win over Westminster on Oct. 22.

The Blue and Gold open their 2026 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1 in Bradford, Pa. as they take on the Pitt Bradford Panthers on the road. Thiel will host Pitt Greensburg on Saturday, Sept 5 from Alumni Stadium at Stoeber Field for their first home match of the year.