JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – FGCU has been selected atop the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll, the league announced on Monday.
The Eagles posted an 11-5-2 overall record and an 8-1-1 mark in conference play. FGCU captured the ASUN Graphite Division regular-season title behind a core that includes returning midfielder, Kate Friday, who started all 18 games in 2025 while delivering a team-high four assists and a goal. Jim Blankenship's team enters the 2026 season at the top of the coaches poll.
Selected second in the coaches poll, the Lipscomb Bisons enter the upcoming season as the league's reigning back-to-back champion following title victories in 2024 and 2025. The Bisons posted a 15-6-2 record last fall, capped by a 3-0 shutout win over North Florida in the ASUN final and a dramatic 1-0 upset over No. 6 Mississippi State in the NCAA Tournament first round. Under first-year Lipscomb head coach, Kathleen Paulsen, the Bisons look to earn its third title in three years this season.
The Jacksonville Dolphins posted a 9-5-5 overall record with a 6-1-3 mark in conference play last fall, earning a spot in the ASUN Tournament Semifinals and third place in this seasons' poll. Dolphin defender, Paula Herranz headlines JU's team after being named both Preseason Player and Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Herranz notched one goal, a game-winner, against Stetson and two assists last season for four points. Defensivley, the senior anchored a Jacksonville backline that allowed just 21 total goals across 19 games and recorded seven shutouts on the season.
The North Florida Ospreys round out the top half of the coaches poll, earning the fourth-place spot. North Florida finished 9-9-4 and made program history with its first-ever ASUN Championship Final appearance. Fifth-year forward, Allie Fekany returns to UNF this year after recording six goals and 13 total points across 22 matches last season. Eric Faulconer's team has their sights set on getting back to the championship final for the second consecutive year in a row.
Bellarmine sophomore, Anna Jenkins, was named Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. Last season, she posted a 10-6-3 record with a 1.16 goals-against average, .814 save percentage, 96 total saves and six shutouts. She recorded a season-high 11 saves in a 1-0 win against North Alabama and nine saves apiece against Northern Kentucky and FGCU. The Knights earned fifth-place in this years' coaches poll.
2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. FGCU (2) 58
2. Lipscomb (4) 54
3. Jacksonville (1) 48
4. North Florida (1) 35
5. Bellarmine 30
6. Queens 34
7. Stetson 16
8. West Florida 13
First-place votes in parentheses
2026 Women's Soccer Preseason All-ASUN Team
F - Maya Henley Buisan, FGCU
F - Allie Fekany, North Florida
F - Julia Delprat, Jacksonville
F - Stella Comana, Stetson
MF - Tatum Ahlemeyer, Lipscomb
MF - Paige McSwigan, North Florida
MF - Brynn Severance, Bellarmine
MF - Kate Friday, FGCU
D - Ryanne Robinson, FGCU
D - Paula Herranz, Jacksonville
D - Chloe Iliff, Lipscomb
GK - Anna Jenkins, Bellarmine
* a tie in voting resulted in a 12-person Preseason All-ASUN Team