The Atlantic Coast Conference unveiled its 2026 preseason women's soccer poll on Tuesday, placing the Florida State Seminoles fourth among the league's 17 programs. The ranking reflects a blend of returning talent, recent performance and the expectations of the league's 17 head coaches.
Preseason Rankings and Expectations
Notre Dame emerged as the preseason favorite, garnering seven first‑place votes and 239 total points, while Stanford and Duke each received three first‑place votes to round out the top three. The poll underscores the competitive balance that has come to define the ACC, with each contender receiving significant support.
Florida State earned three first‑place votes, the most among any team outside the top two, and tied with Notre Dame, Stanford and Duke for the highest number of representatives on the Preseason All‑ACC Team. Overall, 18 players were selected, with each of the three powerhouses contributing three athletes.
The Seminoles' honorees are junior forward Wrianna Hudson, junior defender Janet Okeke and sophomore midfielder Nyanya Touray. Their inclusion highlights the depth of talent returning to Tallahassee and signals a strong attacking and defensive core for the upcoming season.
A Fresh Look at the Roster
The 2026 schedule kicks off with an exhibition match against Sporting Jax on August 8, followed by the regular‑season opener on August 13 against Stetson University. Conference play begins on September 10 when California visits North Carolina, and the Seminoles will make their first ACC appearance on September 11 against NC State.
Looking Ahead
With a promising blend of experience and youthful vigor, the Seminoles aim to translate preseason optimism into on‑field success. As the league prepares for kickoff, Florida State's coaching staff and players are focused on building momentum and competing fiercely for a championship berth.