OXFORD, Ohio - The WVU Tech Golden Bears are the preseason favorite to win the River States Conference title in women's soccer, finishing first in the 2026 RSC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The poll, announced Thursday by the River States Conference office, saw each of the conference's nine head coaches rank the other member schools in order of predicted finish.

The RSC is considered wide-open this year with the departure of two-time defending champion Oakland City. The Golden Bears claimed six of the nine first place votes, coming off a 7-2-1 record in conference play last season. WVU Tech was the only team to get a point off Oakland City via a 1-1 draw, and earned their way into the RSC Tournament final with a quarterfinal win over Brescia in penalties and a 3-0 win over IU Kokomo in the semis. 

IU Kokomo, who finished second last season, is again picked in that slot after earning two first place votes. The Cougars recorded a 7-1-2 conference record, losing only to Oakland City. IU East was picked to finish in third place, with Brescia fourth. The Bearcats claimed the remaining first place vote.

Rio Grande is picked to finish in the middle of the league at fifth place. The bottom half of the poll sees Indiana University Columbus sixth, Midway seventh, St. Mary-of-the-Woods eighth, and Kentucky Christian University rounding out the league at ninth.

RSC action in women's soccer begins on Thursday, August 20, the first scheduled NAIA play date. Brescia and IU Kokomo are both on the road on Opening Day, with the Bearcats heading to Indiana to play Huntington and IU Kokomo travelling to St. Louis for a meeting with Harris-Stowe State. The first scheduled conference match is five weeks later on September 24, when the RedStorm head to Grayson for a meeting with Kentucky Christian. The conference tournament is scheduled for November 4, 7, and 11.

2026 RSC PRESEASON WOMEN's SOCCER COACHES' POLL
1. WVU Tech (60 points, 6 first place votes)
2. IU Kokomo (53 points, 2 first place votes)
3. IU East (49 points)
4. Brescia (48 points, 1 first place vote)
5. Rio Grande (40 points)
6. IU Columbus (27 points)
7. Midway (22 points)
8. Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (17 points)
9. Kentucky Christian (8 points)