Stanford is opening the 2026 NCAA women's soccer season atop the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. The list, released August 4th, saw the Cardinal inch up one spot from last year's No. 2 ranking after finishing with a 20-2-2 record in 2025.
However, the top ranking came without a single first-place vote.
Stanford Women's Soccer Takes No. 1 Spot
Instead, Stanford women's soccer program managed to edge Notre Dame 191-189 in total points, even as the Fighting Irish drew six No. 1 nods.
Behind them, Duke slotted third, Florida State fourth, and Vanderbilt fifth, with the last two each earning one first-place vote.
UCLA, North Carolina Rise as SEC Makes Strong Showing
Beyond the Top 5, UCLA women's soccer posted the poll's sharpest rise, vaulting 13 places from No. 22 to No. 9. North Carolina climbed five spots to No. 8, and Big 12 favorite TCU sat sixth, leading a league that placed five teams in the Top 25.
The SEC matched that count, with Vanderbilt at No. 5, Arkansas at 10, LSU at 16, Georgia at 19 and Tennessee at 24. Georgia and Clemson entered the preseason poll after going unranked last year.
The 2026 college soccer season kicks off Wednesday, August 12th. Forward Bella Winn and goalkeeper Caroline Birkel headline the Cardinal's returners, both named to the Hermann Trophy preseason watch list this year.
