Still the team to beat: Florida Tech stays atop DII women’s soccer national rankings
Florida Tech continues its strong 2026 fall campaign.
Kutztown made a major statement in the latest Division II poll, climbing 13 spots to No. 9 after continuing its strong start to the season. The Golden Bears were one of several teams making major moves in the latest rankings, while Florida Tech remained at the top.
The United Soccer Coaches Week 5 poll was released Tuesday. The rankings are based on votes from United Soccer Coaches members and reflect games through Sunday.
Florida Tech held onto the No. 1 spot at 7-0-2, despite a 1-1 draw against Eckerd. Iselin Brualoekken scored for the Panthers, who outshot Eckerd 18-9 but were unable to find a second goal.
Dallas Baptist moved from No. 3 to No. 2 after improving to 9-0-0 with a 7-0 win over Eastern New Mexico. Ashley Washburn scored three goals in the victory and was named the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week after recording her second hat trick of the season.
Bentley also continued its unbeaten start, moving from No. 5 to No. 3 after defeating Saint Anselm 1-0. Abi Hennessey scored the game-winning goal in the 78th minute, while goalkeeper Holly DiPalo recorded her fifth shutout of the season.
Kutztown’s rise from No. 22 to No. 9 was the largest movement among teams already ranked. The Golden Bears improved to 7-1-1, joining a crowded group of unbeaten or one-loss teams near the top of the poll.
Nova Southeastern also made a significant jump from No. 18 to No. 10 at 5-0-3. Midwestern State climbed from No. 21 to No. 12 after moving to 9-0-1, giving the Mustangs one of the strongest records among the teams making a push up the rankings.
The teams moving in the opposite direction included West Chester, which fell from No. 4 to No. 15, and Lee, which dropped seven spots to No. 16. Texas Woman’s also fell seven spots to No. 19 despite holding a 9-1-0 record.
Several new teams entered the poll this week. Columbus State came in at No. 14 after rallying from a two-goal halftime deficit to draw Flagler 2-2. Kendal Coreil scored both goals for the Cougars in the final 16 minutes of the game.
Western Washington entered at No. 17 after defeating No. 23 Seattle Pacific 3-0. Freshman Madeline Mays scored twice in the victory and had five goals across two games, helping the Vikings move into the rankings at 5-1-3.
North Georgia also made its first appearance at No. 21, while McKendree entered at No. 22 with a 10-1-0 record. Simon Fraser moved into the poll at No. 23, and Washburn and Saint Michael’s remained tied at No. 24.
Florida Tech remains at the top of the poll, but the latest rankings show plenty of movement throughout the Top 25. Dallas Baptist and Bentley moved closer to the top, while Kutztown, Nova Southeastern and Midwestern State made significant climbs as the season moves deeper into conference play.
The United Soccer Coaches poll is voted on by coaches and reflects the week-to-week standing of Division II programs. The rankings are not used to determine NCAA tournament eligibility or selection.
24. Saint Michael's College, 4-0-2 (20)
24. Washburn, 7-1-1 (25)
23. Simon Fraser, 5-2-1 (RV)
22. McKendree, 10-1-0 (NR)
21. North Georgia, 7-3-0 (NR)
20. Fairmont State, 7-0-2 (16)
19. Texas Woman's, 9-1-0 (12)
18. Central Missouri, 8-1-0 (19)
17. Western Washington, 5-1-3 (NR)
16. Lee, 6-1-1 (9)
15. West Chester, 6-1-1 (4)
14. Columbus State, 6-2-2 (RV)
13. Franklin Pierce, 6-2-0 (13)
12. Midwestern State, 9-0-1 (21)
11. Grand Valley State, 6-1-2 (11)
10. Nova Southeastern, 5-0-3 (18)
9. Kutztown, 7-1-1 (22)
8. Catawba College, 6-2-1 (10)
7. Minnesota State University-Mankato, 8-0-1 (8)
6. Ashland, 7-1-2 (7)
5. Cal Poly Pomona, 5-0-4 (2)
4. Pittsburg State, 9-0-1 (6)
3. Bentley, 7-0-0 (5)
2. Dallas Baptist, 9-0-0 (3)
1. Florida Tech, 7-0-2 (1)
* Luci Palacios is a student-intern at Penn State University.
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