KANSAS CITY, Mo.- The MIAA announced its 2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll on Wednesday afternoon. Washburn took the top spot with 7 first place votes and 138 total points. Pittsburg State finished in the second spot, just two points behind the Ichabods. The Jets earned 22 total points, taking the 13th spot in the poll. 

2026 MIAA WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Washburn [7] – 138 points
2. Pittsburg State [6] – 136 points
3. Central Missouri – 119 points
4. Missouri Western – 108 points
5. Central Oklahoma – 96 points
6. Northwest Missouri – 92 points
7. Emporia State – 85 points
8. Northeastern State – 66 points
9. Nebraska Kearney – 45 points
10. Fort Hays State – 43 points
11. Rogers State – 41 points
12. Missouri Southern – 25 points
13. Newman – 22 points
[#] - First Place Votes

Head Coach Dylan Gruntzel enters into his fifth season leading Newman, returning one All-MIAA selection in Lexi Bauer. Bauer totaled 1346 minutes of play this season on the Jets defense. Bauer totaled the second highest minutes played on the Jets squad. Bauer added one assist on the year and one goal for a total of three points. Bauer's goal came against Missouri Southern State. This goal by Bauer helped lead the Jets to a dominant 3-0 win over MSSU. 

The Jets kick off the 2026 season, visiting Northwestern Oklahoma Stat on August 27th at 6 PM. Newman will then host Southwest Baptist for their home opener on August 29th. The rest of their non-conference slate includes home games against Southwestern Oklahoma State, Oklahoma Christian, CSU Pueblo and an away match against Oklahoma Baptist. 

To open conference play, the Jets visit Pittsburg State on September 18th followed by Central Missouri. Women's Soccer first home conference game will be against Northwest Missouri on September 5th at 3 PM. The Jets then host two more home games, facing MoWest and UNK. After this home stint, the Jets hit the road to face Emporia State and Rogers State. The Jets then return home for two games against   NSU and UCO. Newman will hit the road one last time on October 25th to face Missouri Southern, before heading back to Wilkins to face Washburn to end the regular season on October 28th. 

The top eight teams from the regular season advance to the 2025 MIAA Women's Soccer Championship.