MADISON, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced its preview and predictions for the 2026 women’s soccer season. The predictions were voted on by the conference’s head coaches and sports information directors.
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the four-time defending champion, is predicted to claim the regular-season title. The Eagles also won their fourth consecutive WIAC tournament crown a year ago and made their fifth straight NCAA appearance. UW-La Crosse enters the 2026 campaign in the Receiving Votes category of the IWSOC/United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division III Preseason Poll.
UW-La Crosse is followed in the WIAC predictions by: UW-River Falls; UW-Platteville; UW-Whitewater; UW-Stevens Point; UW-Oshkosh; UW-Stout Polytechnic; and UW-Eau Claire.
WIAC teams will begin their non-conference schedules on Sept. 1, while the conference slate will commence on Oct. 3. The top six teams in the conference standings will qualify for the WIAC Tournament (presented by Culver’s). The event will be held Nov. 3, Nov. 5 and Nov. 7, with all matches hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic NCAA bid.
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2026 preseason predictions
Voted on by WIAC head coaches and sports information directors
- 1. UW-La Crosse (19-3-1 overall, 6-0-1 WIAC/19 pts.)
- 2. UW-River Falls (13-5-3, 3-3-1/10 pts.)
- 3. UW-Platteville (8-6-6, 2-1-4/10 pts.)
- 4. UW-Whitewater (8-7-5, 3-3-1/10 pts.)
- 5. UW-Stevens Point (9-5-8, 2-1-4/10 pts.)
- 6. UW-Oshkosh (6-7-5, 2-4-1/7 pts.)
- 7. UW-Stout Polytechnic (7-9-4, 1-4-2/5 pts.)
- 8. UW-Eau Claire (3-11-5, 1-4-2/5 pts.)
Team capsules
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Sean Yengo; 29th season at UWEC; 314-196-61
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 22/7
Starters Returning/Lost: 9/2
Returning All-WIAC: Emma Donovan, Jr., F (2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Mikalyn Hidde, Jr., F/M; Bella Jones, Sr., GK; Anna Lorenzana, Sr., M; Lisette Thurman, Sr., M
UW-La Crosse
Head Coach: Jason Murphy; 16th season (12th at UWL); 214-79-28 (overall) / 173-46-26 (UWL)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 23/6
Starters Returning/Lost: 11/0
Returning All-WIAC: Aubree Caya, Sr., F (2025-First/Offensive Player of the Year); Summer Nicolai, Jr., GK (2025-First/Goalkeeper of the Year); Ella Opie, So., M (2025-First); Jillian Sawadski, Sr., F (2024-First, 2025-First); Sera Speltz, Sr., M (2025-First); Allison Steeno, Sr., D (2025-First); Amaya Thesing, Jr., M (2025-Honorable); Monica Wawrzyn, So., D (2025-First/Newcomer of the Year)
Notable Returning Players: Megan McNeely, Sr., D; Jessica Stewart, Sr., D; Katelyn Studebaker, Jr., F; Riley Veenendaal, So., F
UW-Oshkosh
Head Coach: Erin Coppernoll; 26th season (22nd at UWO); 226-208-53 (overall) / 202-163-50 (UWO)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 23/7
Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3
Returning All-WIAC: Addyson Edwards, So., D (2025-First); Ariana Gonzalez, Sr., M (2025-First); Ryley Meenk, Jr., D (2024-First/Newcomer of the Year, 2025-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Ella Duckmann, Jr., M; Jaden LeRoy, Jr., F; Addyson Knoebel, So., F; Shannon Walsh, Sr., D
UW-Platteville
Head Coach: Eliza Denmeade; 4th season at UWP; 32-12-15
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 26/9
Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1
Returning All-WIAC: Sarah Liljestrand, Sr., F (2025-First); Jess Morawski, Sr., F (2024-First, 2025-First); Raven Rogers, So., M (2025-Honorable); Lexi Ward, Sr., D (2024-Honorable, 2025-First/Defensive Player of the Year)
Notable Returning Players: Angelina Labrague, Jr., D; Janelle Minor, Sr., M; Marguerite Mueller, Sr., GK; Margaret Slove, Sr., F
UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Sean McKuras; 24th season at UWRF; 206-199-44
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 17/13
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Returning All-WIAC: Courtney Bain, So., GK (2025-Honorable); Emery Bigler, Sr., F (2025-First); Madelyn Johnson, Sr., D (2025-Honorable); Ellie Ketcher, Sr., F (2024-First, 2025-First); Valerie Leonard, Sr., D (2024-Honorable, 2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Lauren Gregory, Sr., D; Gabby Kempf, Sr., M; Brooke McDaniel, Sr., D
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Dawn Crow; 13th season (11th at UWSP); 89-111-31 (overall) / 80-87-27 (UWSP)
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 17/5
Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1
Returning All-WIAC: Christa Borchardt, Jr., F (2025-First); Piper Hanley, Sr., D (2024-Honorable); Ainsley Katte, So., GK (2025-First); Erika Panella, Jr., GK (2024-First/Goalkeeper of the Year); Sophia Ryan, So., D (2025-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Rita Danner, Jr., M; Kaitlan Jones, Sr., D; Emily Miner, Jr., M; Kayce Wadas, Jr., M
UW-Stout Polytechnic
Head Coach: Marcos Rodriguez; 2nd season at UWST; 7-9-4
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 19/12
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Returning All-WIAC: Tessa Pagel, Sr., F (2025-First); Kayla White, Jr., M (2024-First, 2025-First)
Notable Returning Players: Mia Brunelli, Sr., M/D; Sami Moseng, Sr., D; Kristen Silenzi, Sr., GK; Kasey Stauner, So., M
UW-Whitewater
Head Coach: Dan Montanye; 4th season at UWW; 19-25-16
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 23/4
Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1
Returning All-WIAC: Brooklyn Carlson, Jr., F (2025-Honorable); Anna Gunderson, Jr., D (2025-Honorable); Jasmine Wilson, Jr., M (2024-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Rachel Cvikel, Jr., M; Berkley Dylla, So., D; Rowan Severson, So., M; Bella Torres, Jr., D
