The University of North Dakota’s women’s soccer program entered the 2026 Summit League preseason conversation with a modest but promising placement. Coaches across the league awarded the Fighting Hawks 14 points, enough to secure seventh position in the official Preseason Coaches' Poll. While the ranking places the team behind traditional powerhouses such as Oral Roberts and South Dakota State, the modest point total reflects a belief that the program is poised for incremental growth.
Players to Watch
Among the names that drew particular attention were senior midfielder Cora Ellermann and sophomore forward Hannah Peters. Ellermann, who returns for a second season after a breakout year in 2025, was credited with a league‑record nine assists, a tally that helped her earn Second Team All‑Summit honors and a spot on the All‑Newcomer Team. Her vision and playmaking ability were on display in every match, as she logged 19 points and appeared in all 18 games for the Fighting Hawks.
Peters, a first‑time honoree on the Players to Watch list, brings a different kind of experience. Having transferred from Long Beach State, she arrives with a reputation built at the high school level where she tallied 26 goals and 11 assists, earning MVP honors in her final season. Her collegiate résumé also includes three All‑Conference selections, underscoring a consistency that coaches expect to translate into the Summit League.
The Fighting Hawks will open their regular season on August 13 with a home contest against the University of Minnesota, a match scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. The game marks the first official test of the new‑look roster and will be closely watched as a barometer for how the team’s chemistry develops after a 2025 campaign that ended with an 8‑7‑3 overall record and a 2‑4‑2 conference slate.
Beyond the individual storylines, the broader preseason landscape features eight participating programs, with Oral Roberts leading the poll at 48 points and six first‑place votes, followed closely by South Dakota State with 44 points. The depth of competition suggests that the Fighting Hawks will need to capitalize on the strengths of Ellermann and Peters if they hope to climb beyond the seventh slot when the season unfolds.
As the countdown to August 13 continues, excitement within the program is palpable. The coaching staff has emphasized that the early schedule is designed to build momentum, and the early performances of Ellermann and Peters will likely set the tone for the months ahead.