ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Upper Midwest Athletic Conference announced its 2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll on Monday. The University of Northwestern Women's Soccer team was picked to finish second in the conference with 32 total points and two first-place votes, just two points behind preseason leader UW-Superior.
The full UMAC conference preview can be accessed here.
The Eagles enter the 2026 season following a strong 2025 campaign that saw Northwestern finish first in the UMAC with a 9-1-2 conference record and 12-8-3 overall mark. Northwestern also advanced to the NCCAA National Tournament in Florida, building momentum heading into Danny Brandt's second season at the helm.
Among the Eagles' top returners is junior midfielder Naomi Meehan (Waconia, Minn./Homeschool), who earned First-Team All-UMAC honors after recording six goals and two assists during the 2025 season. Sophomore midfielder Marie Kendall (Dakar, Senegal/Dakar Academy) also returns following a standout freshman campaign in which she earned UMAC Rookie of the Year and First-Team All-UMAC recognition. Kendall ended her rookie season with 14 goals and 12 assists while recording 190 shots. On the defensive side, sophomore Britta Holter (Hudson, Wis./Hudson) returns after earning UMAC Honorable Mention honors as a freshman. Holter contributed one assist while securing the Eagles' back line.
Northwestern enters the 2026 season as one of the UMAC's top contenders as they open their season with a home bout against Bethel University on Tuesday, September 1, at 7:00 PM.
