Memphis entered the 2026 American Conference women’s soccer preseason poll as the clear favorite, earning 100 total points and a perfect ten first‑place votes from the league’s head coaches.
The Tigers have built a recent dynasty, capturing three of the last five conference championships between 2021 and 2023, a streak that has cemented their status as a perennial powerhouse.
Coaches were barred from voting for their own squads, a rule designed to preserve the integrity of the poll and ensure that the rankings reflect the broader league perspective.
Watch List and Award Winners
The 2026 watch list spotlights four 2025 postseason award winners from Memphis and Rice, including midfielder Ai Kitagawa and defender Finley Lavin, both of whom earned 2025 American All‑Conference First Team honors.
Additional standouts on the list are UAB’s Avery Berryman and Charlotte’s Evie Craven, who return from the 2025 all‑conference second team, as well as UAB’s Ava Mills and Charlotte’s Harlee Head, representatives of the third‑team selections.
Championship Schedule
The 2026 American Women’s Soccer Championship will unfold from November 8 through November 14 at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, promising a high‑stakes finale for the conference’s top programs.