A 1-0-1 start to the 2026 season has moved Ashland University's women's soccer team up 11 spots to No. 11 in the first Intercollegiate Women's Soccer Organization for Coaches (IWSOC) NCAA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll, in partnership with United Soccer Coaches, of the regular season.
As released by the IWSOC on Tuesday (Sept. 1) afternoon, the Eagles neared the poll's Top 10 following a 1-1 tie with now-No. 5 Grand Valley State on Thursday (Aug. 27) at Ferguson Field, then a 1-0 win at home vs. Point Park on Saturday (Aug. 29).
Ashland will travel to Florida this week for its next two contests – against No. 1-ranked Florida Tech (2-0) at 7 p.m. on Thursday (Sept. 3), and vs. No. RV Rollins (2-0) at 7 p.m. on Saturday (Sept. 5).
"For us, the standards and expectations of our program don't change. Our job as a program is to raise them," said Ashland head coach
Cayleb Paulino. "We are challenging our group by playing some of the best in the country in one our toughest non-conference schedules yet. I feel there is a real belief in this group on what they aspire to be this year, and that is to be one of the best in the country.
"It is a great recognition for our group early on in the year, but national championships aren't won in the first two weeks. We look forward to continue to run towards challenges and not away from them."
2026 ASHLAND UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S SOCCER IWSOC/USC RANKINGS: No. 22 (preseason), No. 11 (Sept. 1).
