Francis Marion University’s women’s soccer program has captured the attention of the national soccer community as it appears in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II preseason Top 25 poll for the 2026 season.
The Patriots are coming off a 17‑3 campaign that featured a Conference Carolinas East Division title, a No. 1 seed in the conference tournament and their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.
A Deep Returning Core
Head coach Sam Holmes will again guide a squad that brings back 24 players, including 10 starters from last year’s lineup. Graduate student Tehya Dave' returns as the reigning Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Year after posting 13 goals and eight assists, while senior goalkeeper Erin Grabeel finished third nationally with 14 shutouts. Junior defender Alana Hunt, the conference’s Defensive Player of the Year, anchors a defense that helped the team rank among the nation’s best.
The backline also welcomes back All‑Region defender Joy Brockmann and sophomore midfielder Madeline Ballard, adding depth and experience to a unit that helped the Patriots earn a .718 winning percentage under Holmes in his first two seasons.
A Challenging Schedule Ahead
The season opener will take place at Hartzler Field on August 27 against USC Aiken, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. Following that match, the Patriots will face two nationally ranked opponents — Lenoir‑Rhyne, listed No. 8, and Catawba, No. 13 — providing early tests that could further elevate their preseason ranking.
With a deep roster, a proven coaching staff and a schedule that pits them against top‑10 competition, the Patriots enter the 2026 campaign with high expectations and a clear path toward another successful season.