FAIRMONT, W. Va. - Fairmont State University and West Virginia State University were selected as the north and south division champions in the 2026 Mountain East Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll, the league announced on Thursday.
Fairmont State was chosen as the north division favorite, receiving nine first place votes while West Virginia State leads the south division, with eight first place votes.
The poll was decided on by the league's 12 head coaches.
Fairmont State, the reigning MEC Champions, finished the 2025 at the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship Second Round. The Falcons posted a record of 17-2-3, with a mark of 10-1-3 in conference play. Fairmont State returns with D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team and All-MEC First Team selection Valentina Gianinetto. Additionally, the Falcons welcome back all-conference selections Agnes Bjork, Olivia Johnson, Serenity Thomas and Ava Yannucci. The Fighting Falcons also enter the 2026 season under new Head Coach Alex Zaroyan.
West Virginia State claimed the 2025 MEC South Division Title, posting a record of 15-5-1 with a mark of 14-1-1 in conference play. The Yellowjackets concluded their season last year at the NCAA Atlantic Regional First Round, falling to No. 2 West Chester. West Virginia State returns this season with All-MEC selections Leila Karam, Sara París Fílter and Hannah Aneley Nuñez Perreira.
Frostburg State and West Liberty tied for second behind Fairmont State with 51 points, while the Bobcats earned three first place votes. Point Park, Davis & Elkins and Wheeling rounded out the north division poll.
In the south division, Charleston finished behind WVSU, earning 51 points with four of the first place votes. Concord, West Virginia Wesleyan, Glenville State and Shawnee State finished out the division.
The MEC women’s soccer season begins August 20, as Davis & Elkins faces off against non-conference opponent West Virginia Tech.
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2026 MEC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
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Rank
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Team (1st Place Votes)
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Points
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NORTH DIVISION
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1.
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Fairmont State (9)
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59
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T-2.
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Frostburg State (3)
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51
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T-2.
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West Liberty
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51
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4.
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Point Park
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42
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5.
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Davis & Elkins
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21
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6.
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Wheeling
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18
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SOUTH DIVISION
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1.
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West Virginia State (8)
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58
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2.
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Charleston (4)
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51
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3.
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Concord
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43
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4.
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West Virginia Wesleyan
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30
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5.
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Glenville State
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22
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6.
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Shawnee State
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12
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* Coaches not permitted to vote for own team