NAPERVILLE, Ill. — The Conference College of Illinois and Wisconsin announced the 2026 women's soccer preseason coaches' poll Thursday, Aug. 20. The Illinois Wesleyan University women's soccer team received 37 points to place sixth in the nine-team poll. 

The reigning CCIW champion, North Central College, was unanimously voted to the top of the conference with 64 points and eight first-place nods. North Park followed in second with 53 points and one first-place vote. Carthage (45) took third in the nine-team poll as Elmhurst (40) and Wheaton (40) shared the fourth-place spot. Carroll (19), Millikin (18), and Augustana (8) proceeded after IWU in seventh through ninth, respectively. 

Illinois Wesleyan heads into its fifth season under head coach Oz Bakirdan. The Titans finished fourth in the regular season standings, earning a CCIW Tournament bid last season. IWU is set to return eight starters, including First Team All-CCIW and Third Team All-Region selection Liza Wiley (Bloomington, Ind.-Home School ) and Second Team All-CCIW selection Ava Mapes (Golden, Colo.-Lakewood). 

The Titans kick off their 2026 campaign on a two-game road trip with the season opener set for Tuesday, Sept. 1 at Simpson College. The Green and White returns to Neis Field Sept. 7 for its home opener against Wartburg College with a 3 p.m. kickoff. 

2026 CCIW Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll

1.    North Central, 64 points (8 first-place votes)

2.    North Park, 53 points (1 first-place vote)

3.    Carthage, 45 points     

T4.    Elmhurst, 40 points 

T4.    Wheaton, 40 points    

6.    Illinois Wesleyan, 37 points     

7.    Carroll, 19 points 

8.    Millikin, 18 points    

9.    Augustana, 8 points