In the second NCAA Division II women's soccer NCAA Power Index (NPI) regional rankings, released on Monday (Oct. 19) morning, the No. 15-ranked Ashland University women's soccer team is slotted at No. 4 in the Midwest Region.
The Eagles are 11-2-2 overall and 9-1-1 in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, sitting one point behind first-place Cedarville in the conference table. AU's next game will be at Ferguson Field vs. Kentucky Wesleyan (0-12-3, 0-8-3) at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday (Oct. 22). This will be the Eagles' annual bonfire game.
"As we get towards the end of the year, there is a lot to play for," said Ashland head coach
Cayleb Paulino. "Everyone is dealing with different pressures and expectations. Our goal remains the same, to go 2-0 this week.
"As a staff, we felt last week there was a lot of growth in the group from Thursday's game to Saturday's game. Players held each other accountable when it comes to our standards. Players are stepping up for us in big moments, and we are excited for the week ahead."
NPI regional rankings will continue to be released in D-II women's soccer on Oct. 26 (and daily thereafter), and Nov. 2. The NCAA Division II women's soccer selection show will be on NCAA.com at 7 p.m. on Nov. 9.
Ashland women's soccer has qualified for the D-II postseason 15 previous times (1997-2004, 2018-19, 2021-25) – making the national semifinal in 1998.
A 56-team tournament (anywhere from 6-8 teams in each of eight regions), the D-II playoffs will begin on Nov. 13. The 2026 NCAA Division II women's soccer national championship game will be in Kansas City, Mo., on Dec. 5.
In the Midwest Region, three automatic bids come from the tournament champions in the Great Midwest, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The other five bids are at-large. Thirty-seven teams are eligible for postseason – 12 from the Great Midwest, 10 from the GLIAC and 15 from the GLVC.
2026 NCAA DIVISION II MIDWEST REGION WOMEN'S SOCCER NPI RANKINGS
| TEAM |
SECOND RANKING |
FIRST RANKING |
| Missouri-St. Louis |
1 |
2 |
| Cedarville |
2 |
4 |
| McKendree |
3 |
6 |
| ASHLAND UNIVERSITY |
4 |
3 |
| Wayne State |
5 |
5 |
| Grand Valley State |
6 |
1 |
| Findlay |
7 |
7 |
| Thomas More |
8 |
8 |
| Northern Michigan |
9 |
9 |
| Missouri S&T |
10 |
13 |
| Davenport |
11 |
10 |
