The United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll has been released. As in the past, it's just a repeat or reminder of the year-end rankings.
National - Pre-season Poll - August 4, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 Tufts University 1 20-1-3
2 Trinity (Texas) 2 20-2-1
3 St. Olaf College 3 20-3-3
4 Emory University 4 17-2-3
5 Bowdoin College 5 12-4-4
6 Dickinson College 6 16-1-7
7 Wheaton (Mass.) 7 17-2-4
8 Augsburg College 8 18-3-3
9 Connecticut College 9 12-3-6
10 Williams College 10 10-5-4
11 SUNY Cortland 11 14-1-6
12 Rowan University 12 17-4-4
13 Macalester College 13 17-4-4
14 Wash University (Mo.) 14 14-4-1
14 Lynchburg 14 19-2-2
16 Messiah University 16 12-8-2
17 University of Scranton 17 13-1-6
18 Brandeis University 18 10-4-5
19 Middlebury College 19 11-6-2
20 University of Chicago 20 12-3-5
21 Denison University 21 14-3-3
22 Wisconsin-Eau Claire 22 13-3-4
23 UMass-Boston 23 13-4-4
24 Christopher Newport 24 13-3-5
25 Luther College 25 10-3-7
Records shown are final 2025 records.
Also receiving votes: Catholic University, Wesleyan University, Babson College, Calvin University, Hampden-Sydney College, Edgewood University, Texas Lutheran University
Willing to bet Tudor Flintham will have St. John's ahead of at least one of the three MIAC teams in rankings.
He played a ton of first years last season and is adding a lot of talent again.
United Soccer Coaches National Ranking 9/15/26 (https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-diii-men/)
National - Poll 1 - September 15, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 Wesleyan University RV 3-0-0
2 St. Olaf College 3 6-0-0
3 Case Western Reserve University NR 6-0-0
4 Babson College RV 4-0-0
5 Rowan University 12 4-0-0
6 Middlebury College 19 3-0-0
7 SUNY Cortland 11 4-0-0
8 University of Chicago 20 4-1-0
9 University of Scranton 17 3-0-1
10 University of Lynchburg 14 4-1-0
11 Williams College 10 3-0-0
12 Claremont-McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps Colleges NR 3-1-1
13 University of Mary Washington NR 4-0-0
14 Hobart College NR 5-0-0
15 Stevens Institute of Technology NR 3-0-1
16 Catholic University NR 4-0-0
17 Otterbein University NR 3-0-0
18 Tufts University 1 2-1-0
19 Wheaton College (Mass.) 7 3-0-2
20 Saint John's University NR 6-0-0
21 North Central College NR 5-0-1
22 University of Redlands NR 2-1-0
23 Washington & Lee University NR 4-1-0
24 St. Lawrence University NR 3-0-1
25 Messiah University 16 3-1-0
Records shown are through games of September 13, 2026
Also receiving votes: Christopher Newport University, Denison University, Rutgers University-Newark, Connecticut College, Hope College, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, SUNY Oneonta, Southwestern University, East Texas Baptist University
What a F'n joke
Quote from: Kuiper on September 15, 2026, 02:20:04 PMUnited Soccer Coaches National Ranking 9/15/26 (https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-diii-men/)
National - Poll 1 - September 15, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 Wesleyan University RV 3-0-0
2 St. Olaf College 3 6-0-0
3 Case Western Reserve University NR 6-0-0
4 Babson College RV 4-0-0
5 Rowan University 12 4-0-0
6 Middlebury College 19 3-0-0
7 SUNY Cortland 11 4-0-0
8 University of Chicago 20 4-1-0
9 University of Scranton 17 3-0-1
10 University of Lynchburg 14 4-1-0
11 Williams College 10 3-0-0
12 Claremont-McKenna-Harvey Mudd-Scripps Colleges NR 3-1-1
13 University of Mary Washington NR 4-0-0
14 Hobart College NR 5-0-0
15 Stevens Institute of Technology NR 3-0-1
16 Catholic University NR 4-0-0
17 Otterbein University NR 3-0-0
18 Tufts University 1 2-1-0
19 Wheaton College (Mass.) 7 3-0-2
20 Saint John's University NR 6-0-0
21 North Central College NR 5-0-1
22 University of Redlands NR 2-1-0
23 Washington & Lee University NR 4-1-0
24 St. Lawrence University NR 3-0-1
25 Messiah University 16 3-1-0
Records shown are through games of September 13, 2026
Also receiving votes: Christopher Newport University, Denison University, Rutgers University-Newark, Connecticut College, Hope College, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, SUNY Oneonta, Southwestern University, East Texas Baptist University
I am going to put forth the proposition that Division III should adopt the SimpleCoach Top 25 as their ranking of choice.
SC.
USC National Poll #2 Sept 22, 2026
https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-diii-men/
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 St. Olaf College 2 7-0-0
2 Case Western Reserve University 3 7-0-0
3 Middlebury College 6 4-0-0
4 Rowan University 5 5-0-1
5 Babson College 4 5-0-1
6 St. Lawrence University 24 5-0-1
7 University of Chicago 8 6-1-0
8 University of Lynchburg 10 6-1-1
9 Catholic University 16 6-0-0
10 SUNY Cortland 7 5-1-0
11 Tufts University 18 4-1-1
12 Southwestern University RV 6-1-0
13 Washington & Lee University 23 5-1-0
14 University of Scranton 9 3-1-2
15 Bowdoin College NR 4-0-2
16 Otterbein University 17 3-0-1
17 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire RV 4-0-2
18 Wheaton College (Mass.) 19 4-0-3
19 New York University NR 6-0-1
20 Calvin University NR 4-1-1
21 Hobart College 14 6-1-0
22 Colorado College NR 4-1-1
23 Connecticut College RV 4-1-1
24 Emory University NR 5-1-1
25 Haverford College NR 6-0-1
Records shown are through games of September 20, 2026
Also receiving votes: Williams College, SUNY Oneonta, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Redlands, Messiah University, Wesleyan University, North Park University, Saint John's University, Stevens Institute of Technology
Good lord what I wouldn't give for the old D3soccer.com poll....
When is the last time Sarah Lawrence received votes in the USC National Poll?
United Soccer Coaches National Poll #3 Sept. 29, 2026 (https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-diii-men/)
National - Poll 3 - September 29, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 St. Olaf College 1 9-0-0
2 Middlebury College 3 5-0-1
3 Rowan University 4 6-0-1
4 Case Western Reserve University 2 8-0-1
5 University of Chicago 7 8-1-0
6 Babson College 5 6-0-1
7 St. Lawrence University 6 7-0-1
8 Washington & Lee University 13 6-1-0
9 Catholic University 9 7-0-1
10 Bowdoin College 15 4-1-2
11 Southwestern University 12 8-1-0
12 University of Lynchburg 8 6-1-2
13 Hobart College 21 8-1-0
14 Connecticut College 23 5-1-1
15 Calvin University 20 6-1-1
16 University of Scranton 14 4-1-3
17 New York University 19 7-0-1
18 Tufts University 11 4-1-2
19 Wheaton College (Mass.) 18 5-1-3
20 Carnegie Mellon University RV 6-1-2
21 University of Redlands RV 5-1-3
22 SUNY Cortland 10 5-1-1
23 SUNY Oneonta RV 6-0-1
24 Saint John's University RV 9-1-0
25 North Park University RV 6-1-2
Records shown are through games of September 29, 2026
Also receiving votes: Sarah Lawrence College, Messiah University, Emory University, Williams College, DePauw University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Quote from: Kuiper on September 29, 2026, 04:42:14 PMWhen is the last time Sarah Lawrence received votes in the USC National Poll?
United Soccer Coaches National Poll #3 Sept. 29, 2026 (https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-diii-men/)
National - Poll 3 - September 29, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 St. Olaf College 1 9-0-0
2 Middlebury College 3 5-0-1
3 Rowan University 4 6-0-1
4 Case Western Reserve University 2 8-0-1
5 University of Chicago 7 8-1-0
6 Babson College 5 6-0-1
7 St. Lawrence University 6 7-0-1
8 Washington & Lee University 13 6-1-0
9 Catholic University 9 7-0-1
10 Bowdoin College 15 4-1-2
11 Southwestern University 12 8-1-0
12 University of Lynchburg 8 6-1-2
13 Hobart College 21 8-1-0
14 Connecticut College 23 5-1-1
15 Calvin University 20 6-1-1
16 University of Scranton 14 4-1-3
17 New York University 19 7-0-1
18 Tufts University 11 4-1-2
19 Wheaton College (Mass.) 18 5-1-3
20 Carnegie Mellon University RV 6-1-2
21 University of Redlands RV 5-1-3
22 SUNY Cortland 10 5-1-1
23 SUNY Oneonta RV 6-0-1
24 Saint John's University RV 9-1-0
25 North Park University RV 6-1-2
Records shown are through games of September 29, 2026
Also receiving votes: Sarah Lawrence College, Messiah University, Emory University, Williams College, DePauw University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
They're 3-3-3 (1-1 Skyline). I have to assume whatever coach voted for them meant to vote for St. Lawrence.
These rankings are a s*** show. Cortland ranked 6 spots behind Scranton despite beating Scranton.
Quote from: Caz Bombers on September 29, 2026, 05:03:24 PMQuote from: Kuiper on September 29, 2026, 04:42:14 PMWhen is the last time Sarah Lawrence received votes in the USC National Poll?
United Soccer Coaches National Poll #3 Sept. 29, 2026 (https://unitedsoccercoaches.org/rankings/college-rankings/ncaa-diii-men/)
National - Poll 3 - September 29, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 St. Olaf College 1 9-0-0
2 Middlebury College 3 5-0-1
3 Rowan University 4 6-0-1
4 Case Western Reserve University 2 8-0-1
5 University of Chicago 7 8-1-0
6 Babson College 5 6-0-1
7 St. Lawrence University 6 7-0-1
8 Washington & Lee University 13 6-1-0
9 Catholic University 9 7-0-1
10 Bowdoin College 15 4-1-2
11 Southwestern University 12 8-1-0
12 University of Lynchburg 8 6-1-2
13 Hobart College 21 8-1-0
14 Connecticut College 23 5-1-1
15 Calvin University 20 6-1-1
16 University of Scranton 14 4-1-3
17 New York University 19 7-0-1
18 Tufts University 11 4-1-2
19 Wheaton College (Mass.) 18 5-1-3
20 Carnegie Mellon University RV 6-1-2
21 University of Redlands RV 5-1-3
22 SUNY Cortland 10 5-1-1
23 SUNY Oneonta RV 6-0-1
24 Saint John's University RV 9-1-0
25 North Park University RV 6-1-2
Records shown are through games of September 29, 2026
Also receiving votes: Sarah Lawrence College, Messiah University, Emory University, Williams College, DePauw University, Stevens Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
They're 3-3-3 (1-1 Skyline). I have to assume whatever coach voted for them meant to vote for St. Lawrence.
That's kind of hilarious, but you must be right. The question is whether Sarah Lawrence will boast about the RV status on its social media.
Kind of surprised Montclair (now 8-2) didn't receive any votes after their beatdown of Christopher Newport.
Quote from: VASoccerDad on September 29, 2026, 06:48:19 PMKind of surprised Montclair (now 8-2) didn't receive any votes after their beatdown of Christopher Newport.
Coaches rankings (particularly USC) are a joke and not to be taken seriously. Don't even get me started on their All-American teams over the years...
Quote from: blue_jays on September 29, 2026, 06:58:18 PMQuote from: VASoccerDad on September 29, 2026, 06:48:19 PMKind of surprised Montclair (now 8-2) didn't receive any votes after their beatdown of Christopher Newport.
Coaches rankings (particularly USC) are a joke and not to be taken seriously. Don't even get me started on their All-American teams over the years...
The biggest problem with these rankings is its a coaches committee. The major problem with that is that each coach on the committee doesn't have the time necessary to properly evaluate the teams from their region. Yes, they might see a lot of these teams on the field but then it comes down to their opinion based on very little sample sizes from each team.
I mean, that's the fundamental problem with every coach's poll on every level. They are a joke.
I generally agree with the validity of the coaches poll sentiment . However, I respectfully think they got at least the top two teams correct.
For example, it's unclear to me how Babson, which is a very good team, could possibly ranked so much higher than Tufts.
I do think one or both St.Olaf / Midd will be playing for a natty.
Would be happy to wager a cup of coffee on this prediction.
Quote from: stlawus on September 29, 2026, 05:33:46 PMThese rankings are a s*** show. Cortland ranked 6 spots behind Scranton despite beating Scranton.
<sarcasm>Well, obviously, the 4th ranked team from one region could never be better than the 2nd ranked team from another region. Duh!
</sarcasm>
National - Poll 4 - October 6, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 St. Olaf College 1 11-0-0
2 Middlebury College 2 7-0-2
3 University of Chicago 5 9-1-0
4 Rowan University 3 7-0-2
5 St. Lawrence University 7 9-0-1
6 Washington & Lee University 8 8-1-0
7 Case Western Reserve University 4 8-0-2
8 University of Lynchburg 12 7-1-2
9 Babson College 6 6-1-2
10 Catholic University 9 7-0-3
11 Williams College RV 8-1-1
12 Hobart College 13 9-2-0
13 Southwestern University 11 8-1-0
14 Calvin University 15 8-1-1
15 Tufts University 18 6-1-3
16 University of Scranton 16 6-1-3
17 Saint John's University 24 11-1-0
18 University of Redlands 21 6-1-4
19 SUNY Cortland 22 7-2-1
20 New York University 17 7-1-1
21 Denison University NR 4-1-4
22 North Park University 25 8-1-2
23 Connecticut College 14 5-2-1
24 Messiah University RV 8-1-1
25 Kenyon College NR 7-2-0
Records shown are through games of October 4, 2026
Also receiving votes: SUNY Oneonta, Roger Williams University, Emory University, Montclair State University, DePauw University, Gustavus Adolphus College, Johns Hopkins University, Colorado College
National - Poll 5 - October 13, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 Middlebury College 2 8-0-2
2 St. Olaf College 1 12-0-1
3 Rowan University 4 9-0-2
4 St. Lawrence University 5 9-0-2
5 Case Western Reserve University 7 9-0-2
6 University of Lynchburg 8 9-1-2
7 Williams College 11 9-1-1
8 Washington & Lee University 6 9-1-1
9 University of Chicago 3 9-2-0
10 Catholic University 10 9-0-3
11 Hobart College 12 10-2-1
12 Calvin University 14 10-1-1
13 Southwestern University 13 9-1-1
14 Kenyon College 25 9-2-0
15 Connecticut College 23 6-2-2
16 University of Scranton 16 8-1-3
17 University of Redlands 18 8-1-4
18 SUNY Cortland 19 9-2-1
19 Montclair State University RV 11-2-1
20 Messiah University 24 10-1-1
21 Saint John's University 17 12-1-1
22 Salisbury University NR 10-1-2
23 Tufts University 15 6-2-3
24 SUNY Oneonta RV 9-0-2
25 Roger Williams University RV 9-1-3
Records show are through games of October 11, 2026
Also receiving votes: Babson College, North Park University, Carnegie Mellon University, Luther College, Bowdoin College
National - Poll 6 - October 20, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 Middlebury College 1 9-0-3
2 Rowan University 3 10-0-3
3 St. Olaf College 2 13-0-2
4 St. Lawrence University 4 10-0-3
5 Case Western Reserve University 5 10-0-2
6 University of Lynchburg 6 10-1-3
7 Williams College 7 9-1-2
8 Kenyon College 14 11-2-0
9 Hobart College 11 10-2-2
10 University of Chicago 9 10-3-0
11 Southwestern University 13 11-1-1
12 University of Scranton 16 10-1-3
13 Connecticut College 15 9-2-2
14 Calvin University 12 11-1-2
15 Montclair State University 19 12-2-2
16 Messiah University 20 12-1-1
17 Emory University NR 11-1-2
18 Washington & Lee University 8 9-2-2
19 SUNY Cortland 18 11-2-1
20 Tufts University 23 7-2-3
21 Catholic University 10 9-1-4
22 Saint John's University 21 13-1-2
23 Roger Williams University 25 9-1-5
24 Salisbury University 22 11-1-3
25 Colorado College NR 11-2-1
Records shown are through games of October 18, 2026
Also receiving votes: SUNY Oneonta, Babson College, North Park University, Bowdoin College, Ithaca College, Carnegie Mellon University, Wesleyan University, University of Redlands, Luther College, Denison University
(It's getting increasingly weird to even talk about a national poll when it's really close to being completely irrelevant with the NPI determining the at-large field... Unless I'm wildly missing the mark.)
Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 20, 2026, 03:48:26 PM(It's getting increasingly weird to even talk about a national poll when it's really close to being completely irrelevant with the NPI determining the at-large field... Unless I'm wildly missing the mark.)
The NPI isnt wildly different in all fairness.
Pure speculation, circling back to our earlier-season discussion about the utility and efficacy of coaches' polls... And an Occam's Razor approach to responding:
We've established the coaches are very busy and it's highly unlikely (laughable, really) to assume they've seen teams that aren't on their schedule. Beyond looking at regional rankings and/or pegging their votes closely to the preseason poll, and making slight adjustments based on week-over-week results. Now they also have a trusty "ranking tool" that fits into their limited time to fill out the stupid form before they're off to practice, the next game, a recruiting call, an AD meeting, etc., etc., and so on.
I don't really care that much about the USC poll one way or the other, but it's fun to climb on a soapbox now and then.
Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 20, 2026, 03:48:26 PM(It's getting increasingly weird to even talk about a national poll when it's really close to being completely irrelevant with the NPI determining the at-large field... Unless I'm wildly missing the mark.)
From the perspective of the schools, the more rankings the better!
In fact, alert the JHU athletics social media manager: According to the Rankings Aggregator (https://statranking.com/#standings), Johns Hopkins is in the top 25 (ranked #25)!
Quote from: Kuiper on October 20, 2026, 05:12:37 PMQuote from: Hopkins92 on October 20, 2026, 03:48:26 PM(It's getting increasingly weird to even talk about a national poll when it's really close to being completely irrelevant with the NPI determining the at-large field... Unless I'm wildly missing the mark.)
From the perspective of the schools, the more rankings the better!
In fact, alert the JHU athletics social media manager: According to the Rankings Aggregator (https://statranking.com/#standings), Johns Hopkins is in the top 25 (ranked #25)!
Well that is interesting....
SC.
Quote from: Hopkins92 on October 20, 2026, 05:09:39 PMPure speculation, circling back to our earlier-season discussion about the utility and efficacy of coaches' polls... And an Occam's Razor approach to responding:
We've established the coaches are very busy and it's highly unlikely (laughable, really) to assume they've seen teams that aren't on their schedule. Beyond looking at regional rankings and/or pegging their votes closely to the preseason poll, and making slight adjustments based on week-over-week results. Now they also have a trusty "ranking tool" that fits into their limited time to fill out the stupid form before they're off to practice, the next game, a recruiting call, an AD meeting, etc., etc., and so on.
I don't really care that much about the USC poll one way or the other, but it's fun to climb on a soapbox now and then.
To your point, again speculation, but could coaches be using the NPI to formulate their opinions on the USC rankings? Little variances here and there based on seeing teams live but overall the rankings are fairly similar
I was being way too wordy... Yes, that's what I'm implying.
National - Poll 7 - October 27, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 Middlebury College 1 10-0-3
2 St. Olaf College 3 15-0-2
3 Case Western Reserve University 5 11-0-3
4 St. Lawrence University 4 10-0-4
5 Southwestern University 11 13-1-1
6 Rowan University 2 11-1-3
7 University of Scranton 12 12-1-3
8 University of Chicago 10 11-3-1
9 Williams College 7 9-2-2
10 Tufts University 20 9-2-3
11 University of Lynchburg 6 11-1-4
12 Hobart College 9 10-2-3
13 Montclair State University 15 14-2-2
14 Calvin University 14 13-1-2
15 Messiah University 16 13-1-2
16 Connecticut College 13 9-2-3
17 Kenyon College 8 12-3-0
18 Denison University RV 8-1-6
19 Washington & Lee University 18 10-2-3
20 Roger Williams University 23 11-1-5
21 SUNY Cortland 19 12-3-1
22 Colorado College 25 12-2-1
23 North Park University RV 11-1-4
24 Saint John's University 22 14-2-2
25 SUNY Oneonta RV 12-1-2
Also receiving votes: Dickinson College, Salisbury University, Emory University, Washington University (Mo.), Augsburg University, Wheaton College (Mass.), Ithaca College, Wesleyan University, Lebanon Valley College, Otterbein University, Bowdoin College, Catholic University, Babson College, The College of New Jersey, Muhlenberg College, Johns Hopkins University, Hamilton College, Luther College, Whitman College
The NPI is all that matters now, but the coaches still voted so might as well post their rankings so y'all have something to argue about
National - Poll 8 - November 3, 2026
Rank School Prev W-L-T
1 St. Olaf College 2 16-0-3
2 Williams College 9 11-2-2
3 Case Western Reserve University 3 11-0-4
4 Tufts University 10 9-3-4
5 Southwestern University 5 15-1-1
6 University of Chicago 8 12-3-1
7 St. Lawrence University 4 10-1-4
8 University of Scranton 7 13-1-3
9 Montclair State University 13 15-2-2
10 Middlebury College 1 10-2-3
11 University of Lynchburg 11 13-1-4
12 Connecticut College 16 10-2-4
13 Rowan University 6 12-1-3
14 Messiah University 15 15-1-2
15 Calvin University 14 14-1-2
16 Denison University 18 10-1-6
17 Washington & Lee University 19 12-2-3
18 Kenyon College 17 14-3-0
19 Roger Williams University 20 12-1-5
20 SUNY Oneonta 25 13-1-2
21 North Park University 23 12-1-4
22 Colorado College 22 13-2-2
22 Saint John's University 24 15-2-2
24 Hamilton College RV 7-4-4
25 Bowdoin College RV 8-3-5
Records shown are through games of November 1, 2026.
Also receiving votes: Amherst College, Babson College, SUNY Cortland, Rutgers University-Newark, Wesleyan University, Aurora University, Trinity University (Texas), Johns Hopkins University, Carnegie Mellon University, Hobart College, Gustavus Adolphus College, Emory University