Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Best XI
 
Greenville, S.C. – Furman defender Braden Dunham and midfielder Diego Hernandez have been named to the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Best XI First Team, it was released this week at TopDrawerSoccer.com.
 
Hernandez captured first team United Soccer Coaches All-America honors and was a finalist for Top Drawer Soccer National Player of the Year and semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2025 after pacing the Paladins with 10 goals and nine assists. The Mesquite, Texas, native earned first team All-SoCon honors and SoCon Player of the Year laurels while guiding Furman to a 16-2-5 overall record and 4-0-1 SoCon mark.
 
Dunham anchored a Furman defense that allowed only 22 goals in 23 matches and posted 10 shutouts a season ago. A native of Peachtree City, Ga., Dunham scored seven goals and added three assists from his centerback spot, including a strike from nearly 40 yards out to propel Furman past Portland, 1-0, in the NCAA quarterfinals. He earned SoCon Freshman of the Year honors and Top Drawer Freshman Best XI First Team honors. 
 
The Paladins open the 2026 regular season on Thursday night at Clemson. Kickoff at Historic Riggs Field is set for 8 p.m. and the match will be televised live on the ACC Network.
 
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