Isabella Pontieri Joins 2026 NCAA Watch List
The United Soccer Coaches have announced their 2026 Division I Women's Players to Watch list, and among the names is Ole Miss midfielder Isabella Pontieri. The honor places her among 45 midfielders selected from across the nation, highlighting her rising profile in college soccer.
Pontieri's inclusion is especially notable because she is one of only seven athletes from the Southeastern Conference to make the list, underscoring the competitiveness of the SEC and her role within it.
The midfielder transferred to Ole Miss after three seasons at North Florida, where she had already begun to make her mark. In 57 career appearances from 2023 through 2025, she recorded 14 goals and 12 assists, logging more than 2,700 minutes on the field.
Her 2025 season was a breakout year: she earned First Team All‑ASUN honors and topped the conference in assists with ten, while also leading in shots on goal (44) and total shots (101). She contributed five game‑winning goals and finished sixth in the nation for total goals scored.
What This Means for the Program
The recognition not only elevates Pontieri's personal profile but also shines a spotlight on Ole Miss's recruiting pipeline and development program. It signals that the Rebels can compete for top talent and translate that talent into national acclaim.
Fans will be watching closely as she steps onto the pitch for the upcoming season, eager to see how her collegiate growth translates into on‑field impact. The excitement surrounding her suggests that Ole Miss could be a dark horse contender in the SEC and beyond.