On Tuesday (Nov. 10) afternoon, in the final pre-postseason Intercollegiate Women's Soccer Organization for Coaches (IWSOC) NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, in partnership with the United Soccer Coaches (USC), Ashland University's women's soccer team jumped to No. 15 in the nation.
Ashland (14-3-3), the 2026 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Tournament champion and No. 2 seed in the Midwest Region, will face No. 7 seed Grand Valley State (11-4-5) at 3 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 13) in a first-round D-II game at Ferguson Field.
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On Saturday (Nov. 7) afternoon, the Eagles defeated Cedarville on the road, 1-0, for their third straight Great Midwest Tournament championship, and fifth in six seasons.
"Unbelievable job by the group to put themselves in a position this week to be in the NCAA Tournament," said Ashland head coach
Cayleb Paulino. "When you win the conference tournament, there's no hoping and guessing on what Monday looked like. For them, it's a great opportunity to enjoy it and embrace it, knowing we're going to be in the tournament, and we'll see where we go from here."
Ashland enters the NCAA postseason as the top D-II team in corner kicks per game at 9.50.
2026 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S SOCCER IWSOC/USC RANKINGS: No. 22 (preseason), No. 11 (Sept. 1, 8 and 15), No. 7 (Sept. 22), No. 6 (Sept. 29), No. T-19 (Oct. 6), No. 15 (Oct. 13), No. 20 (Oct. 20), No. 22 (Oct. 27), No. RV (Nov. 3), No. 15 (Nov. 10).
