Contact: Brock Reisler, Assistant Executive Director, breisler@midwestconference.org
HILBERT, Wisconsin – Three-time defending Midwest Conference champion Lake Forest College has been picked to win the MWC once again in 2026 as the league’s preseason poll was released on Tuesday afternoon.
The Foresters picked up 81 points and all nine possible first-place votes to pace the field. Coaches could not vote for their own teams. Last season, Lake Forest advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament to conclude a 21-1 season.
Second place in the poll belonged to Illinois College, who secured the remaining first-place vote and 70 points. Following close behind was Lawrence University with 68 points. Rounding out the top-half of the poll was Grinnell College (54 points) and Luther College (46 points).
Ripon College (41 points), Knox College (29 points), Monmouth College (27 points), Beloit College (24 points) and Cornell College (10) followed in the back half of the poll.
The 2026 season officially gets underway on Tuesday, September 1 with nine of the 10 teams competing. League play begins on Saturday, September 19.
For the first time, the Midwest Conference Women’s Soccer Tournament features an expanded field of six teams who will compete for the tournament title and the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament. Quarterfinal action commences on Tuesday, November 3 while the semifinals and finals are slated for Friday and Saturday (November 6-7).
Full preseason coaches’ poll results and quick facts for all 10 league teams can be found below:
2026 MWC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll Results
1. Lake Forest College (9 first-place votes) - 81 points
2. Illinois College (1) - 70 points
3. Lawrence University - 68 points
4. Grinnell College - 54 points
5. Luther College - 46 points
6. Ripon College - 41 points
7. Knox College - 29 points
8. Monmouth College - 27 points
9. Beloit College - 24 points
10. Cornell College - 10 points
() – indicates first-place votes
*Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Beloit College Buccaneers
Head Coach: Brandon Wachholz (1st Season)
2025: 4-11-2 (overall), 2-5-1 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Cornell College Rams
Head Coach: Francis Lee (1st Season)
2025: 2-15 (overall), 0-8 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Grinnell College Pioneers
Head Coach: Kirsten Koester (13th Season)
2025: 6-8-4 (overall), 3-3-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Sarah Travis (Sr.); Peyton Dixon (Sr.)
Illinois College Lady Blues
Head Coach: Hunter Gray (7th Season)
2025: 10-8-2 (overall), 6-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Katy Adler (So.); Aliza Rodriguez (Jr.)
Knox College Prairie Fire
Head Coach: Annie Gerdes (4th Season)
2025: 4-10-3 (overall), 1-5-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: None
Lake Forest College Foresters
Head Coach: TR Bell (30th Season)
2025: 21-1 (overall), 8-0 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Veronica Presberg (So.)
Lawrence University Vikings
Head Coach: Joe Sagar (9th Season)
2025: 10-5-6 (overall), 5-1-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Ava Elders (Sr.); Kate Noonan (Jr.); Hannah Kalt (Sr.)
Luther College Norse
Head Coach: Hollie Gray III (7th Season)
2025: 7-9-2 (overall), 3-4-1 (A-R-C)
All-Conference Returnees: Riley Anderson (Sr.); Kate Van Deventer (So.)
Monmouth College Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Rhys Lewis (1st Season)
2025: 7-6-3 (overall), 3-3-2 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Morgan Kistler (So.)
Ripon College Red Hawks
Head Coach: Jennifer Finco (5th Season)
2025: 4-9-5 (overall), 2-3-3 (MWC)
All-Conference Returnees: Martina Palazzolo (Sr.)