KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its preseason coaches poll for the 2026 women's soccer season.

Washburn, the defending NCAA Central Region Champion, topped the preseason rankings with seven first-place votes while Pittsburg State, the reigning MIAA champion, finished close behind in second with six first-place selections. The league's head coaches vote on the makup of the poll and cannot pick their own teams. 

Washburn collected 138 points while Pitt State finished just two points behind the Ichabods. Next, Central Missouri earned the No. 3 spot (119) with Missouri Western (108) and Central Oklahoma (96) capping the top five. Finally, Northwest Missouri (92), Emporia State (85), Northeastern State (66), the Lopers (45), Fort Hays State (43), Rogers State (41), Missouri Southern (25), and Newman (22) ranking 6-13th. 

UNK went 3-9-5 (1-6-5) last season, allowing just 23 goals during the fall. Head coach Rob Breton welcomes back 2024 All-Region forward Hanna Schimmer (Council Bluffs, Ia.) and 2025 All-MIAA picks Susie Bovaird (Lincoln East) and Madison Province (Kearney). The season begins at home on Aug. 28 vs. Rockhurst (2 p.m.). 
 
The first matches of the NCAA Division II women's soccer season begin Thursday, August 27, with the first MIAA matches set for Friday, September 18. The 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Championship will take place December 3-5 at the CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., as part of the NCAA Division II Fall Festival. To view week-by-week schedules for all 13 MIAA women's soccer programs, visit theMIAA.com/soccer.