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FAIRMONT, W.Va. — Fairmont State University and West Virginia State University were selected as the North and South Division favorites in the 2026 Mountain East Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll, the league announced Thursday.
Fairmont State received nine first-place votes as the North Division favorite, while West Virginia State led the South Division with eight first-place votes.
The poll was decided by the league’s 12 head coaches.
Fairmont State, the reigning MEC champion, advanced to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Championship. The Falcons posted a 17-2-3 record, including a 10-1-3 mark in conference play.
Fairmont State returns D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Second Team and All-MEC First Team selection Valentina Gianinetto. The Falcons also welcome back all-conference selections Agnes Bjork, Olivia Johnson, Serenity Thomas and Ava Yannucci. The Fighting Falcons enter the 2026 season under new head coach Alex Zaroyan.
West Virginia State claimed the 2025 MEC South Division title, posting a 15-5-1 record with a 14-1-1 mark in conference play. The Yellow Jackets concluded last season in the first round of the NCAA Atlantic Regional, falling to No. 2 West Chester.
West Virginia State returns 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 and four first-place votes. Concord, West Virginia Wesleyan, Glenville State and Shawnee State rounded out the division.
The MEC women’s soccer season begins Aug. 20, when Davis & Elkins faces nonconference opponent West Virginia Tech.
| Rank | Team (first-place votes) | Points |
|---|---|---|
| North Division | ||
| 1. | Fairmont State (9) | 59 |
| T-2. | Frostburg State (3) | 51 |
| T-2. | West Liberty | 51 |
| 4. | Point Park | 42 |
| 5. | Davis & Elkins | 21 |
| 6. | Wheeling | 18 |
| South Division | ||
| 1. | West Virginia State (8) | 58 |
| 2. | Charleston (4) | 51 |
| 3. | Concord | 43 |
| 4. | West Virginia Wesleyan | 30 |
| 5. | Glenville State | 22 |
| 6. | Shawnee State | 12 |
* Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own teams.
