The Liberty women's soccer team captured the top spot in the 2026 Conference USA preseason coaches poll, earning nine first‑place votes and signaling its intent to defend the title it has chased for years.
The accolades extended beyond the team ranking, with senior forward Halle Engle earning Offensive Player of the Year honors and midfielder Lauren Littleton taking home Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight season.
Goalkeeper Peyton Huber joined the preseason all‑conference squad for the second consecutive year, while defenders Sallie Garner and midfielder Avenley Monteith rounded out the selections, highlighting a balanced attack and a resilient back line.
A legacy in the making
Liberty’s recent history reads like a championship saga; the program has lifted the CUSA trophy twice in the past three years and has become synonymous with defensive excellence and offensive firepower.
Since joining the conference in 2023, the Lady Flames have collected defensive player of the year awards each preseason and have consistently placed a goalkeeper on the all‑conference team, a streak that underscores the program’s stability.
The upcoming season will open at home against East Carolina on August 13, a match streamed live on ESPN+, giving fans an early glimpse of the squad’s chemistry.
The coaching staff and players alike view the preseason honors as a validation of their offseason work, noting Engle’s 1.89 goals per game and Littleton’s ability to limit opponents to a single goal in three championship contests.
With a blend of veteran leadership and fresh talent, Liberty aims to translate its preseason momentum into a third title in four years, a feat that would cement its status as the benchmark program in Conference USA.