The University of Mary Washington women's soccer program earned its highest final ranking since the 2004 season after finishing No. 12 in the final United Soccer Coaches Poll released on Tuesday evening by the organization. The Eagles concluded a stellar 2025 season with their Elite 8 run, just one overtime goal away from their second Final Four appearance in program history.

The season itself was a success to say the least. The Eagles were picked second in the Coast-to-Coast Conference preseason poll, exceeding expectations by season's end. For the first time since 2019, UMW took down Christopher Newport, handing the Captains their first regular season loss since that same season. They posted 16 shutouts throughout the season -- the most in a season since 1997, which ties a program best. And they won 14 games this season, which is the most in program history since 2002.

In the NCAA Tournament, UMW advanced past a pair of ranked teams in the first weekend, the first victory coming against No. 20 Vassar with Cassidy Shaw's second half goal proving to be the difference. The next day, the Eagles moved onto the Sweet 16 after beating No. 10 Williams in penalty kicks, 4-2, after a 2-2 contest couldn't be decided in two overtimes on the Ephs home turf. 

In the Sweet 16, the Eagles had little troubles moving past Penn State-Harrisburg before ultimately falling in overtime to No. 3 Tufts, 1-0, who fell to No. 2 Emory in the Final Four.

The Eagles closed the season with a record of 14-4-5 with three ranked wins this fall, reaching the national quarterfinal round, and leave the year with a bright future ahead of them.