Women's Soccer | 8/5/2026 4:00:00 PM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The United Soccer Coaches released its 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Preseason National Poll, with the Gannon women's soccer team checking in at No. 23 nationally to begin the 2026 season.
The Golden Knights enter the campaign after finishing 16-3-2 a year ago, advancing to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the fifth consecutive season and ninth time in program history, while closing the season ranked No. 25 in the final United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll.
Head Coach
Colin Petersen begins his 27th season with the Gannon soccer program and his 25th as the leader of the women's soccer team in 2026. Petersen enters the season as the winningest coach in program history with a 237-167-46 career record.
Defending national champion Florida Tech, which finished the 2025 season with a 15-3-6 record, tops the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. Cal Poly Pomona is ranked second after posting a 14-1-3 mark, followed by national runner-up Franklin Pierce (17-3-5), Washburn (14-4-6), and Dallas Baptist (20-2-0).
Three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference programs are represented in the preseason rankings, led by West Chester at No. 6. Shepherd is ranked No. 17, while Gannon rounds out the conference's representation at No. 23.
The Golden Knights open the 2026 season on Sunday, August 30, when they host Seton Hill inside McConnell Family Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
