PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Eastern Connecticut has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 Little East Conference (LEC) Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll, earning 61 points and six first-place votes.
With Eastern Connecticut entering the season as the preseason favorite, four-time defending champion Southern Maine just behind and only one point separating the Huskies and Western Connecticut, the 2026 LEC women's soccer season is set to feature another competitive race for the conference title.
2026 LEC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Institution – Points (First-Place Votes)
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Eastern Connecticut – 61 (6)
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Southern Maine – 52 (1)
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Western Connecticut – 51 (1)
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Keene State – 40
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Rhode Island College – 36 (1)
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UMass Boston – 32
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UMass Dartmouth – 24
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Vermont State Castleton – 20
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Plymouth State – 8
NOTE: Head coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team.
Eastern Connecticut Tabbed as Team to Beat
Eastern Connecticut enters the 2026 season atop the preseason poll after finishing 10-5-3 overall and 5-1-2 in conference play last season. The Warriors captured their first LEC regular season championship since 2017 before advancing to the LEC Tournament semifinals, where their season ended with a 2-0 loss to Western Connecticut.
The Warriors return a decorated group led by two-time LEC Goalkeeper of the Year Alex Ignatowicz, who earned First Team All-LEC honors after posting a conference-best 1.26 goals-against average and .810 save percentage in 2025. First Team All-LEC selections Michaela Gasparri and Jordan Fabry also return. Gasparri recorded 10 goals and five assists for 25 points last season, while Emily Dunlea returns after earning Second Team All-LEC honors. Eastern Connecticut will also add several newcomers to its experienced group, including Claire Elliott, Ava Friese, Emily McKelvey, Alana Burnell and Lindsey Rowe.
Defending Champion Southern Maine Picked Second
Southern Maine was selected second with 52 points and one first-place vote after finishing 11-11-2 overall and 4-2-2 in conference play last season. The Huskies entered the LEC Tournament as the No. 3 seed and defeated UMass Boston, 4-2, before earning a 3-2 overtime win over Keene State in the semifinals. Southern Maine then defeated Western Connecticut, 3-0, to capture its fourth consecutive LEC Championship and advance to the NCAA Division III Championship, where its season ended against nationally ranked Messiah in the opening round.
The Huskies enter 2026 with a new-look roster after graduating a large group from their championship squad. Lexi Morin and Marie Benoit return after each appearing in all 24 matches as first-years, while Kadin Davoren returns after playing in 22 contests during her first season at Southern Maine and will serve as a team captain. Southern Maine welcomes 14 newcomers, including 13 first-years and one junior transfer, as the Huskies look to continue their run atop the conference.
Western Connecticut Close Behind
Western Connecticut earned 51 points and one first-place vote after posting a 13-8-2 overall record and going 4-3-1 in conference play in 2025. The fourth-seeded Wolves defeated Rhode Island College, 4-1, in the opening round of the LEC Tournament before upsetting top-seeded Eastern Connecticut, 2-0, in the semifinals. WestConn advanced to the conference championship match for the fourth consecutive season before falling to Southern Maine.
The Wolves return Second Team All-LEC forward Shannon Anderson, who scored 11 goals and added five assists for 27 points last season. Gracen Regan, a Third Team All-LEC goalkeeper, also returns after helping anchor the Wolves defensively, while Olga Mayen and Morgan Fontaine add further experience to the returning group. WestConn also welcomes 10 newcomers, including forward Leah Tomeo and defender Kathryn Ralicki.
Keene State Selected Fourth
Keene State was selected fourth after finishing 10-6-6 overall and going unbeaten at 4-0-4 in LEC play last season. The Owls earned the No. 2 seed in the LEC Tournament and advanced directly to the semifinals, where eventual champion Southern Maine escaped with a 3-2 overtime victory. Keene State continued its season in the ECAC Tournament, eventually advancing to the championship match.
The Owls return First Team All-LEC midfielder Elizabeth Tschudin, who recorded nine goals and five assists for 23 points in 2025. Emily O'Connell and Elise Saab also return after earning Third Team All-LEC recognition last season, while goalkeeper Michaela DiCicco joins a returning group looking to build on last season's unbeaten conference record.
Rhode Island College Selected Fifth
Rhode Island College earned 36 points and one first-place vote after finishing 9-7-1 overall and 4-3-1 in LEC play last season. The fifth-seeded Anchorwomen qualified for the LEC Tournament before falling to Western Connecticut, 4-1, in the opening round.
RIC returns Second Team All-LEC goalkeeper Oceanna Orlandi and Third Team All-LEC forward Amber Almeida. Almeida ranked among the conference's leading offensive players with six goals and six assists for 18 points in 2025, while Leah Saunders and Bryn Williams are also among the team's key returners. The Anchorwomen will add eight newcomers, including seven first-years and one Division II transfer, as they look to remain in the conference postseason picture.
UMass Boston Rounds Out Projected Playoff Field
UMass Boston was selected sixth with 32 points after finishing 8-8-3 overall and 4-3-1 in LEC play last season. The sixth-seeded Beacons qualified for the LEC Tournament and fell to eventual champion Southern Maine, 4-2, in the opening round.
Among UMass Boston's returning players is Third Team All-LEC midfielder Lorelai Leddy, along with Allie Kondash, Devan Booth, Daniella Celotto, Lucinda Cotter and Cloe Kapetanakos. The Beacons will welcome a group of newcomers that includes Camryn Trick, Maddie Pittman, Samantha Diaz, Avery Brooks and Adel Wells as they look to earn another postseason berth.
UMass Dartmouth, Castleton and Plymouth State Complete Poll
UMass Dartmouth was selected seventh with 24 points after finishing 7-8-3 overall and 2-5-1 in conference play last season. The Corsairs return one of the conference's top young offensive players in 2025 LEC Rookie of the Year Natalie Frazier. Frazier was also named First Team All-LEC and United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-Region after scoring 12 goals and adding one assist for 25 points as a first-year.
Vermont State Castleton earned 20 points to place eighth after going 8-11-0 overall and 3-5-0 in LEC play in 2025. Gwen Bridges, a Second Team All-LEC defender last season, returns alongside Kristina O'Neil and Paige Cargill. The Spartans also welcome a large first-year class that will look to contribute immediately.
Plymouth State rounds out the poll in ninth with eight points after finishing 8-11-0 overall and 0-8-0 in conference play last season. Maggie MacDonald returns after an impressive first-year campaign in which she scored seven goals and added two assists on her way to Third Team All-LEC honors. Clara Wilson also returns as a veteran presence in the midfield and will serve as a team captain in 2026.