Michigan State’s women’s soccer program has reached a milestone that few could have imagined just a few years ago. In the 2026 preseason rankings released by United Soccer Coaches and Top Drawer Soccer the Spartans sit at No. 7 marking the highest preseason placement in school history and the first time they have been projected as a top ten national contender.
A Historic Preseason
The ranking comes from both the United Soccer Coaches poll and Top Drawer Soccer and reflects a consensus that the Spartans are now among the nation’s elite. It also marks the first time a Michigan State women’s soccer team has been projected as the top team in the Big Ten conference.
Last season the Spartans finished second in the Big Ten with a 15‑4‑6 record and secured back‑to‑back regular‑season titles in 2022 and 2023. They advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals before falling to Stanford and have reached the second weekend of the tournament in each of the past four seasons.
Firepower Returns
The offense returns 47 goals and 36 assists from the previous campaign a unit that topped the Big Ten and ranked 18th nationally. Ten starters are back including four of the five All‑Big Ten selections from 2025. Leading the attack is Kennedy Bell the reigning Big Ten Forward of the Year who heads a trio of scorers that combined for more than 60 points last year. Alongside her Kayla Briggs and Bella Najera each posted 21 points or more while Emerson Sargeant added 19 points and earned First Team All‑Big Ten honors. Renee Watson contributed 13 points rounding out a deep scoring attack.
Michigan State also welcomes a wave of fresh talent with the program’s No. 8 recruiting class and the 12th‑ranked portal class expected to add depth and creativity to the roster.
A Grueling Non‑Conference Schedule
The non‑conference slate is among the toughest in the nation featuring opponents such as Xavier a 2025 NCAA qualifier as well as No. 8 North Carolina No. 13 Colorado and No. 2 Notre Dame. In total nine of the 2026 opponents participated in the 2025 NCAA Tournament and five of the six non‑conference foes appear in the preseason top 15. The schedule also includes the toughest Division I slate that the team may repeat in 2026.
The campaign opens on August 12 at DeMartin Stadium against Xavier setting the tone for a season that promises early tests and opportunities to climb the rankings.
With a blend of veteran leadership a potent attacking core and a schedule that will be fought on every front the Spartans are poised to turn their historic preseason ranking into a legitimate championship pursuit.