United Soccer Coaches Week 1 Poll: Stanford Takes Top Spot in 2026 NCAA Women’s Soccer Rankings

Stanford rises to No. 1 in coaches’ poll

United Soccer Coaches released its Week 1 Top 25 for the 2026 NCAA Division I women’s soccer season, with Stanford voted into the top spot following the opening week of competition. Stanford earned six first-place votes and 196 total points, moving up from the preseason No. 1 position after starting the year 1-0-0. The Cardinal are scheduled to play Georgetown on August 20.

Top five reshuffled after opening results

Duke climbed to No. 2 with 189 points (1-0-1), while Florida State and Vanderbilt tied for No. 3 with 182 points each; Florida State entered the poll at No. 4 in the preseason and Vanderbilt at No. 5. Michigan State rounded out the top five at No. 5 with 164 points (1-0-0). Notre Dame, which was No. 2 in the preseason, dropped to No. 8 after opening with two draws.

Conference representation across the rankings

The Atlantic Coast Conference placed five teams in the top 10 — Duke, Florida State, North Carolina at No. 7, Notre Dame, and Wake Forest at No. 11 — while the Big Ten had two teams in the top five (Stanford and Michigan State). The SEC was represented by Vanderbilt, Alabama at No. 18, and Georgia at No. 25, with the Big 12 placing Baylor at No. 6, Kansas at No. 12, TCU at No. 15, Colorado at No. 17, and West Virginia at No. 22.

Movers and new entrants

Baylor made the largest jump into the rankings, entering at No. 6 after receiving votes in the preseason, while Alabama was the only new entrant at No. 18. Tennessee climbed eight spots to No. 16 after going 2-0-0, and Wake Forest moved up seven places to No. 11. UCLA fell eleven spots to No. 20 following a loss and a draw, and Georgia dropped six places to No. 25. Samford led the teams also receiving votes with 12 points.

Conference honors and upcoming fixtures

The ACC announced its women’s soccer Player of the Week honors on August 18, recognizing standout performances from the opening weekend, which included Florida State’s 2-0 win over FIU, Duke’s 1-1 draw with UCLA, and Virginia’s 2-0 win over Liberty on August 16. The Week 2 schedule features Stanford vs. Georgetown and Duke vs. FIU on August 20.