The America East Conference unveiled its 2026 women's soccer preseason coaches' poll on Thursday, setting expectations for the upcoming campaign.
Vermont's Catamounts are slated to finish third in the league, accumulating 53 points and earning a single first-place vote, while Maine captured the top spot with 60 points and four first-place votes.
Binghamton followed in second place with 58 points and also received four first-place ballots, completing a tightly contested top three.
All-Conference Selections
UVM seniors Bridget Kennedy and Madeline Gardner were both named to the preseason All-Conference team. Kennedy, a senior who started every game last season and recorded a career-high four assists, earned the honor after being selected to the America East All-First Team and the All-Rookie Team in 2023.
Gardner, also a senior, broke onto the scene with four goals and four assists in her debut year in Catamount country, securing her spot on the all-conference squad after a strong performance that earned her a place on the 2025 America East All-First Team.
League head coaches conducted the voting, ensuring they could not cast ballots for their own programs, which adds a layer of impartiality to the poll results.
The preseason projections reflect the Catamounts' steady rise under head coach Erin McNamara, who highlighted the blend of experienced seniors and emerging talent as a key factor in their anticipated third-place finish.
Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see whether Vermont can translate the preseason optimism into actual results on the field, especially as the team opens its season against non-conference opponents in early September.