North Carolina sat at No. 7 in the NCAA women's soccer rankings just one week ago. Now the UNC Tar Heels own the top spot in the September 22nd poll. The team picked up four first-place votes — more than any other program — after notching two wins and lifting its 2026 season record to 9-1-0.
UNC Thrills Against Duke to Claim Top Rankings Spot
A comeback victory over former-No. 2 Duke seemed to be the difference maker this week.
UNC trailed 2-1 at halftime before scoring three unanswered goals in the second half. Lilliah Blum tallied two of those, plus an assist, picking up the ACC Offensive Player of the Week nod in the process. The loss knocked the Blue Devils down to fourth place in this week's rankings.
The Tar Heels then closed out their non-conference play with a 5-0 win over Alcorn State. Bella Devey added brace to bring her tally to a team-best 10 goals on the season.
Elsewhere, Michigan State slid from No. 1 to No. 2 at 6-1-2. Vanderbilt climbed to No. 3 at 8-0-1 with two first-place votes. Wake Forest. meanwhile, held at No. 5, and UCLA made the largest move, rising nine spots to No. 12.
The latest NCAA women's soccer rankings prove the ACC is the conference to beat, with three of the top five teams hailing from that side of the bracket.
