The University of Mary Washington women's soccer team emerged as the league favorite heading into the 2026 Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) Women's Soccer season as voted on by the conference's eight head coaches. The Eagles earned 47 points in this year's C2C Preseason Coaches' Poll, including five first-place votes.

Following close behind UMW was reigning C2C Champion Christopher Newport, which earned 45 points and the three remaining first-place selections. UC Santa Cruz and Salisbury tied for the No. 3 spot in this year's poll with 32 points apiece, while Johnson & Wales Charlotte completed the top-five with 29 points.

Regent (17 points), Warren Wilson (15), and new addition to the conference Alverno (7) rounded out the top-five in that order.

Competition gets underway on Tuesday, Sept. 1 as the teams begin their quest for the 2026 C2C Women's Soccer Championship. The top six teams will qualify for the event, which will be hosted by CNU in Newport News, Va. from Nov. 5-8.

Mary Washington: The Mary Washington women's soccer team enters the 2026 campaign following one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Eagles finished 14-4-5 in 2025, earned three victories over nationally ranked opponents, and advanced to the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals, setting the stage for another strong season.

UMW returns two of its captains in Maci Landel (Stafford, Va.) and Naomi Knight (Moseley, Va.), who both competed for Richmond Ivy this summer. The duo played key roles in the Eagles'; postseason run, earning Coast-To-Coast Athletic Conference First Team honors. Landel was also recognized as an All-American after leading the team with nine goals and 11 assists, while Knight anchored the back line by starting 22 matches and adding a pair of goals.

The Eagles also welcome back a wealth of experienced talent. Layla Royster (Midlothian, Va.) (six goals) and Emily Box (Virginia Beach, Va.) (five goals) return to bolster the attack, while Amanda Dolan (West Islip, N.Y.), Katie Britton (Henrico, Va.), Olivia Ewing (Glen Allen, Va.), and Taylor Garofalo (Virginia Beach, Va.) all return after logging significant minutes during Mary Washington's NCAA Tournament run. In goal, Emily Orn (Chester, Va.) is back after starting 20 matches last season, posting seven shutouts and 47 saves. Head coach Scott Gerseny also strengthened the roster with an experienced recruiting class.

Graduate student Hailey Baltzelle (Stafford, Va.) joins the Eagles after appearing in 36 games at the Division I level with Longwood. Sophomore forward Erin Lee (Rockville, Md.) transfers from Connecticut College, while veteran goalkeepers Kaylee Norstrand (Bel Air, Md.) and Elizabeth Mayo (Rockville, Md.) arrive from the junior college ranks. Mary Washington also welcomes a talented freshman class of 10 student-athletes, with many hailing from the Richmond and Northern Virginia regions.

The Eagles will open the 2026 season on Sept. 1 when they travel to Ashland, Va., to take on Randolph-Macon.

Full poll: