The University of St. Thomas Women's Soccer team is ready to build on a historic 2025 season, entering 2026 ranked second in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Celts received one first-place vote and totaled 62 points in the preseason balloting by the league's head coaches, placing St. Thomas just one point ahead of third-place Concordia University Texas.
The recognition comes after St. Thomas produced its first 10-win season since joining the SCAC prior to the 2019 season, establishing a new standard for the program heading into the 2026 campaign.
"I'm excited and grateful to everyone who voted us second in the conference preseason poll. It's a great recognition of the hard work and accomplishments this team had last year, and I'm proud to see our players receive that recognition. At the same time, our players understand that with that ranking comes expectations. People are going to be coming for us, and we have to continue to earn it every single day. We're working hard to represent this ranking the right way and, hopefully, do even better. We're excited about the challenge ahead and can't wait to get the season started."
Now, the Celts enter a new era with Nathan Day taking the helm as head coach.
With the program's momentum continuing to build, St. Thomas will look to turn its preseason recognition into another successful season when the 2026 campaign gets underway.
The Celts will begin the regular season on Tuesday, September 1, as SCAC teams open non-conference competition. Conference play is scheduled to begin the first weekend of October.
The 2026 SCAC Women's Soccer Tournament will return to Round Rock Multipurpose Complex in Round Rock, Texas, with the six-team postseason tournament scheduled for November 5-8.
2026 SCAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Texas Lutheran University — 79 points (7 first-place votes)
- University of St. Thomas — 62 points (1 first-place vote)
- Concordia University Texas — 61 points (1 first-place vote)
- Hendrix College — 55 points
- Austin College — 46 points
- LeTourneau University — 36 points
- University of Dallas — 26 points
- University of the Ozarks — 24 points
- Centenary College — 11 points
