CORBIN, Ky. — According to a release from the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) office on Tuesday morning, the Montreat College women's soccer team is expected to conclude the upcoming regular season seventh overall in the league standings.
 
The 2026 AAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll saw the Cavaliers rack up 103 points in the voting process, seventh-most out of 14 programs. Montreat secured 17 more points than Brenau University and 21 points fewer than the University of Pikeville. Truett McConnell University tallied 11 first-place votes and 180 total voting points as the league's preseason favorite.
 
Last year, the Cavs delivered an 8-9-1 (6-6-1 AAC) record and tied for seventh in the regular season standings. Entering the AAC Tournament as the No. 8 seed, Montreat hosted and cruised past ninth-seeded Spartanburg Methodist College in the league's play-in round. The Cavaliers ultimately lost in the quarterfinal round to the top-seeded and No. 9-ranked TMU Bears.
 
The 2026 AAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll was voted on by the head coaches of institutions in the league. Teams received 14 points for a first-place vote, 13 for second place, 12 for third place and so on until all 14 teams were ranked. Programs were then ordered by most points received to least points received.
 
With a productive regular season, the Cavs aim to finish among the top eight teams in the league standings and earn a spot in the 2026 AAC Women's Soccer Tournament. This year's bracket runs from Nov. 3-11, and each match is hosted by the better seed.
 
AAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
School (First-Place Votes) - Total Voting Points
1. Truett McConnell (11) - 180
2. Tennessee Wesleyan (2) - 170
3. Milligan - 141
4. Columbia International - 134
5. Reinhardt - 130
6. Pikeville - 124
7. Montreat - 103
8. Brenau - 86
9. Spartanburg Methodist - 69
10. Johnson - 65
11. Columbia - 59
12. Union Commonwealth - 55
13. Bryan - 36
14. Bluefield - 13