BOSTON – The America East Conference announced the results of the 2026 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll on Thursday. The Catamounts are projected to finish third, earning 53 points and one first-place vote. America East also named UVM seniors Bridget Kennedy and Madeline Gardner to its Preseason All-Conference Team. 
 
RELATED LINKS  
America East Release  
2026 Schedule  
   
League head coaches conducted the voting and could not vote for their own teams. Three teams received first-place votes. Maine, the defending champion, was chosen as the favorite with 60 points and four first-place votes. Binghamton placed second with 58 points and also received four first-place votes. Vermont ranked third with 53 points and one first-place vote. UMass Lowell finished fourth with 40 points, followed by New Hampshire, Bryant, NJIT, UMBC, and UAlbany. 
 
Kennedy earned 2026 Preseason All-Conference honors after being named to the America East All-First Team last season and the All-Rookie Team in 2023. The Grafton, Massachusetts native started all 18 games for UVM last season and recorded a career-high four assists. 

Gardner also earned 2026 Preseason All-Conference honors after being named to the 2025 America East All-First Team in her first year in Catamount country. The Regis University transfer recorded four goals and tallied four assists last season. 

Women's Preseason Poll 

Pl. School Points 

1. Maine 60 (4) 

2.  Binghamton 58 (4) 

3. Vermont 53 (1) 

4. UMass Lowell  40  

5. New Hampshire 35 

6. Bryant 33 

7. NJIT 20 

8.  UMBC 16 

9. UAlbany 9 

Women's Preseason All-Conference 

F Nora Belin (UMass Lowell) 

F Jahkaya Davis (Binghamton) 

F Paige Luke (Binghamton) 

M  Anna Buckwalter (Binghamton) 

M Madeline Gardner (Vermont) 

M Luise Reinwald (Maine) 

D Colleen Ardolino (Bryant)  

D Sophia Garofalo (Binghamton) 

D Olivia Grisdale (Maine) 

D  Bridget Kennedy (Vermont) 

GK Rebecca Kessler (Binghamton)