KANSAS CITY, Mo.--- Stan State received votes in the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, released Tuesday, earning national recognition heading into the 2026 season.

The Warriors are coming off another successful campaign in 2025, finishing 11-5-4 overall while placing third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association standings. Stan State also received votes in the final United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II National Poll after advancing to the CCAA Championship semifinals for the third time in the last four seasons and qualifying for the conference tournament for the sixth consecutive year.

Stan State enters the 2026 season under the direction of first-year head coach Adam James while returning a talented nucleus from last year's squad. Senior forward Aliah Avila headlines the returners after earning United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA First Team All-West Region honors, United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-America recognition, United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-West Region honors, All-CCAA First Team accolades and CCAA All-Tournament honors in 2025.

The Warriors also welcome back CCAA Freshman of the Year and All-CCAA Second Team selection Olivia Maragos, along with senior goalkeeper Zara Mujica. Mujica earned All-CCAA Honorable Mention recognition after posting a 0.97 goals-against average and recording 6.5 shutouts last season.

The CCAA is well represented in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. Cal Poly Pomona opens the season ranked No. 2 nationally after advancing to the NCAA Division II national semifinals in 2025. Stan State, Cal State Los Angeles, Chico State and Cal State San Marcos also received votes in the preseason rankings.
Florida Tech claimed the No. 1 spot in the preseason poll, followed by Cal Poly Pomona, Franklin Pierce, Washburn and Dallas Baptist to round out the top five.

Stan State opens the 2026 campaign on Aug. 27 against Concordia Irvine, which also received votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, at the Humboldt Kickoff Classic in Arcata before facing Central Washington two days later. The Warriors' non-conference schedule also features match-ups with Point Loma and Dominican, both of which received votes in the preseason poll. Stan State's home opener is set for Sept. 6 against Dominican before the Warriors begin CCAA play on Sept. 18 against Cal State Monterey Bay at Warrior Stadium.