The Sun Belt Conference unveiled its 2026 women's soccer preseason poll on Tuesday, revealing a competitive landscape that sets the stage for a thrilling season ahead.
Preseason Poll Highlights
James Madison entered the poll as the clear favorite, amassing 182 points and earning six first‑place votes. Old Dominion followed closely with 173 points and four first‑place votes, while South Alabama secured third place with 171 points and an identical number of top votes.
Georgia State ranked fourth with 141 points, and ULM, the defending 2025 regular‑season champions, slipped to fifth with 137 points and a single first‑place vote. Marshall and Louisiana rounded out the top seven with 126 and 125 points respectively.
Coastal Carolina was selected eleventh, receiving 60 points in the projection, underscoring the depth of talent across the conference.
Player Awards Announced
James Madison’s forward Ginny Lackey was crowned Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, highlighting her anticipated impact on the attack. Louisiana’s midfield maestro Miku Kurihara earned the Preseason Midfielder of the Year honor, while Old Dominion’s defender Ashlynn Kulha captured the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year award.
South Alabama’s goalkeeper Sierra Giorgio was recognized as Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, rounding out the conference’s individual accolades.
The Preseason All‑Sun Belt Team features standout athletes from James Madison, Old Dominion, Georgia State, Louisiana and South Alabama, reflecting the breadth of talent poised to shape the upcoming campaign.