ALISO VIEJO, Calif. — Embry-Riddle and The Master's will begin the 2026 women's soccer season nationally ranked, with the Eagles at No. 3 and the Mustangs at No. 25 in the NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll released Wednesday.

Embry-Riddle's No. 3 ranking matches the highest in program history and marks the second time the Eagles have reached that position. The Eagles have appeared in 37 consecutive NAIA polls dating to Sept. 14, 2022, and have been ranked in 95 polls all-time.

The current streak is six appearances shy of the program record. Embry-Riddle was ranked in 43 consecutive polls from Oct. 4, 2016, through Dec. 11, 2019.

The Eagles enter 2026 following one of the strongest seasons in program history. Embry-Riddle finished 20-1-3, completed a perfect 13-0 GSAC regular season and advanced to the NAIA National Championship semifinals. More than 10 players return, including eight starters and the starting goalkeeper, with Jamie Brandon and Natalia Sepulveda among six returning All-GSAC selections.

The Master's opens the season at No. 25 and has now appeared in consecutive national polls after also being ranked in the 2025 postseason poll. The Mustangs have appeared in 73 NAIA polls all-time.

The Master's has climbed as high as No. 4 nationally on three occasions, most recently Oct. 26, 2010. The program's longest stretch in the rankings covered 28 consecutive polls from Sept. 10, 2013, through Oct. 13, 2015.

The Mustangs enter the season as the defending GSAC Tournament champions and return nine players and six starters. Reigning GSAC Player of the Year Maddy Traylor leads five returning All-GSAC selections, joining Kegan Brunnemann, Zaria Echemendia, Bryanna Elias and Jane Hato.

Defending national champion Keiser (Fla.) received 19 first-place votes to open the season at No. 1. Cumberlands (Ky.), the 2025 national runner-up, is No. 2, followed by Embry-Riddle at No. 3 and Oklahoma Wesleyan at No. 4.

The preseason poll was released one day before countable competition begins across the NAIA on Thursday. A total of 197 women's soccer programs representing 19 conferences will compete this season, with the national championship culminating in December at the Jack Allen Sports Complex in Decatur, Alabama.

The next NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll is scheduled for Sept. 2.