KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Oklahoma Wesleyan University remained in the Top 15 in the latest edition of the
STADIONIC NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll, the national office announced Wednesday. The Eagles are now at No. 15, dropping one spot from their previous ranking.
The next NAIA Women’s Soccer Coaches' Poll is set to be released on October 1 with the first National Selection Committee (NSC) Top 25 Poll. The NSC poll will be voted upon by members of the NAIA Women’s Soccer Selection Committee, during which time the ARC ratings will be published in conjunction.
TOP 10 CAPSULES
1. Keiser (Fla.) (5-0-1)
The Keiser Seahawks soared once again at the top of the NAIA Women’s Soccer poll after back-to-back shutout victories last week. As the fourth best team in goals against average nationally at .33. KU has a balanced offense so far with nine different student-athletes contributing at different times, but the scoring is led by Haley Miller and junior midfielder who has started every game so far.
The real highlight of this year’s Seahawks team is senior goalkeeper Mio Tanaka. Tanaka was also tabbed as the PrestoSports-NAIA Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week for the third installment of the weekly award. She has been an anchor in net for Keiser as nearly 400 minutes has passed since she has allowed a goal.
The Seahawks head into their final two non-conference battles this week against St. Thomas (Fla.) on Wednesday, September 16 and Southeastern (Fla.) on Saturday, September 19. Sun Conference action kicks off the following week on Saturday, September 26 when they take on the Bobcats of STU for the second time.
2. Marian (Ind.) (5-0-1)
The Knights of Marian keep on marching through their non-conference slate of matches. Having allowed just three goals so far over six matches, MU has been persistent in shot opportunities so far posting 124 total shots. Olivia Parmer leads the Knights in total shots and shots on goal this season so far, while five team mates also are in the double digit shot count already through six games.
Climbing back up to No. 2, Marian’s last two games ended with scores of 5-1 and 4-1. If we go three games back, well that’s where the only tie on the season comes into play, and it’s still a convincing result tying at then-No. 1 Cumberlands (Ky.) in Indy at ASV Field. The game favored Marian in nearly every major category including shots (14-8) and corners (11-5).
The Knights have one more non-conference bout against Northwestern Ohio before marching into Crossroads action on September 23 against Huntington (Ind.)
3. Cumberlands (Ky.) (3-1-2)
The Patriots have played probably one of, if not the toughest non-conference slates so far. Six matches played, four of them against teams ranked inside the 10-15 at the time the match was played. All of UC’s matches have been close including a rematch of the 2025 NAIA Women’s Soccer National Championship Game against at the time No. 2 Keiser (Fla.), a game that saw the lowest total shot and shot on goal numbers this season.
Letizia Traversone and Evelyn Saldivar lead the team in shots with 14 and 12, respectively, as Traversone leads the team with two of the teams’ eight goals scored.
Cumberlands is back in action later today, September 16 is Mid-South Conference action as they take on Georgetown (Ky.) before another non-conference match on the 19th at Olivet Nazarene (Ill.)
4. Indiana Wesleyan (6-0-1)
The second best goal against average (.14) number in the nation and the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan continue to climb the national poll this season. rising to No. 4 this week. Having allowed just one goal on the season 1-1 tie to at the time No. 1 Cumberlands (Ky.), IWU has a dangerous forward in senior Alyssa Hamann. She hasn’t been the only one to help the team as Katelyn Vanderark, Avery Williams, and Sydney Couch all have multiple goals this season to complement the eight from Hamann.
Avery Sluss has been a critical part to the hot start in 2026 averaging 2.57 saves per game and six total shutouts, she’s been an anchor between the posts.
The Wildcats have two more non-conference matches against Indiana East and St. Francis (Ill.) before jumping into Crossroads action on September 23 against Spring Arbor (Mich.).
5. Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) ( 4-0-1)
ERAU sits within the top five nationally in shots (180), shots on goal (85) and goals against average (.40) through five games. They have also shown to be a team who can score and make it tough for teams to find rhythm in matches. Outside of the 0-0 draw to Southern Oregon back on Sept. 3, the next closest match for the Eagles was nearly a month ago on August 22 against Cumberland (Tenn.) which they won 3-1.
Embry-Riddle isn’t afraid to take shots either, finishing games with 33, 43, 28, and 50 shots. The potent offense out west is led by senior forward Jamie Brandon who has put away seven goals with 41 total shots and 22 of them being on frame as she’s scored two game winning goals so far this season.
ERAU is already three matches into GSAC action with Arizona Christian on deck for September 19.
6. Truett McConnell (Ga.) (2-1-1)
The TMU Bears have been challenged as well early this season in close matches. Outside of their 4-0 victory over Montreat (N.C.) back on September 12, every match played has been decided by one score, including a 2-1 loss to at the time No. 2 Cumberlands (Ky.) on August 27.
The goalkeeper position has been primarily led by freshman Noa del Rio with 270 minutes between the posts having eight saves on the year.
TMU will take on AAC foe Columbia (S.C.) later today, the 16th before its a battle of the bears with Georgia Gwinnett on September 19.
7. Grace (Ind.) (5-1-1)
Grace has been another team to test themselves early and often this season with a tough non-conference schedule, picking up results over Oklahoma Wesleyan, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) and Columbia (Mo.), all who sit inside the top 25.
They aren’t the type of team to pile on the goals, but they know what it takes to play in close matches and still earn a decision. With only five goals against on the season is a result of veteran goalkeeping from junior Ivy Cline who’s holding a .783 save percentage on the season.
The Lancers open up Crossroads action on September 23 against Saint Francis (Ind.) at home, before hitting the road for a trip to Huntington (Ind.) on the 26th.
8. MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (4-0-1)
MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) is another team within the top 10 to see multiple top 25 opponents so far this season as they hosted Southeastern (Fla.) and traveled to Oklahoma Wesleyan. Tindra Jarl leads the way for the Pioneers with three of the team’s 10 goals scored so far.
Defensively, Fiona Popetschnig has been stellar in the box, with 360 minutes played, shes posting a .778 save percentage with a .5 goals against average number.
MNU already has one Heart of America Conference game under their belt with another one slated for later today in Atchison, Kan. against No. 18 Benedictine (Kan.) who has been climbing the list.
9. College of Idaho (4-1-0)
The Yotes started the season as road warriors; traveling to California for three games against Soka, The Master’s and Hope International, all of which were victories. Then CI battled Whitman College on the road for a fourth win, before returning home for the first of three home games in a row against Puget Sound.
Freshman forward, Rylee Russell has stepped up on the Yotes front line like a veteran, leading the team in goals (3), points (7), and shots on goal (11), but she has a great mentor in her position as well with senior forward Abbi Roubidoux who’s put away two goals and leads the team in shots with 19.
Between the posts, Molly McCabe is goalkeeper one for CI posting a .680 save percentage and a 1.60 goals against average through her five starts.
College of Idaho is in conference action now with Warner Pacific (Ore.) and Walla Walla (Wash.) on deck for September 18 and 20.
10. Life (Ga.) (4-0-1)
After a 1-1 draw to open the season against SCAD (Ga.), The Running Eagles have been doing just that, with victories over Georgia Gwinnett (4-2), St. Thomas (Fla.) (1-0), Mobile (Ala.) (3-0), and Faulkner (Ala.) (6-0).
A forward duo with freshman Louise Martineau and junior Phoenix Parks at the top of the formation lead the pack with three goals, and two goals, respectively. Martineau hasn’t hesitated in space either firing off 22 shots with half of them being on frame.
Between the posts, Elora Niederpruem holds the starting position starting all five matches as she holds a fantastic save percentage at .880 on 22 saves and three goals against.
The Running Eagles continue conference action tomorrow, September 17 at Thomas (Ga.), then at Brewton-Parker (Ga.) on the 19th.
FULL TOP 25 RANKINGS
| RANK |
LAST TIME |
TEAM [FIRST-PLACE VOTES] |
RECORDS |
| 1 |
2 |
Keiser (Fla.) [17] |
5-0-1 |
| 2 |
4 |
Marian (Ind.) |
6-0-1 |
| 3 |
1 |
Cumberlands (Ky.) |
3-1-2 |
| 4 |
5 |
Indiana Wesleyan [1] |
6-0-1 |
| 5 |
3 |
Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) [1] |
5-0-1 |
| 6 |
7 |
Truett McConnell (Ga.) |
2-1-1 |
| 7 |
8 |
Grace (Ind.) |
6-1-1 |
| 8 |
T-10 |
MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) |
4-0-1 |
| 9 |
6 |
College of Idaho |
4-1-0 |
| 10 |
12 |
Life (Ga.) |
4-0-1 |
| 11 |
T-10 |
William Carey (Miss.) |
4-1-2 |
| 12 |
13 |
Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) |
3-1-1 |
| 13 |
T-14 |
Southeastern (Fla.) |
4-1-1 |
| 14 |
16 |
John Brown (Ark.) |
4-1-1 |
| 15 |
T-14 |
Oklahoma Wesleyan |
1-2-2 |
| 16 |
19 |
Spring Arbor (Mich.) |
5-1-1 |
| 17 |
21 |
Columbia (Mo.) |
5-1-2 |
| 18 |
22 |
Benedictine (Kan.) |
5-0-0 |
| 19 |
20 |
Cumberland (Tenn.) |
5-2-1 |
| 20 |
17 |
Taylor (Ind.) |
5-1-1 |
| 21 |
9 |
Missouri Valley |
0-3-1 |
| 22 |
18 |
Georgia Gwinnett |
3-3-0 |
| 22 |
23 |
Northwestern Ohio |
3-2-2 |
| 24 |
25 |
SCAD (Ga.) |
5-1-1 |
| 25 |
24 |
Central Methodist (Mo.) |
3-2-0 |
Receiving Votes: Aquinas (Mich.); Briar Cliff (Iowa); Campbellsville (Ky.); Clarke (Iowa); Eastern Oregon; Hastings (Neb.); Madonna (Mich.); Mobile (Ala.); Morningside (Iowa); Science & Arts (Okla.); Southern Oregon; Tennessee Southern; Tennessee Wesleyan; The Master’s (Calif.); Westcliff (Calif.); Xavier (La.)
—KCAC—