BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- A trio of Mid-South Conference teams are ranked in the NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll, NAIA officials announced on Wednesday.

Cumberlands (Ky.) -- coming off a national runner-up showing in 2025 -- begins 2026 at No. 2.

The Patriots finished with a 17-5-3 record in 2025, falling 3-2 in penalty kicks in the championship match after playing Keiser (Fla.) to a 1-1 tie in regulation and two overtimes. Cumberlands is the favorite to win the MSC regular season title this season, according to the conference coaches' vote. The Patriots open their season at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 22, at home against Union Commonwealth (Ky.) in Williamsburg, Ky.

Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) is No. 16 in the preseason poll. The Blue Raiders posted a 10-6-2 mark in 2025. Lindsey Wilson faces No. 4-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 29, in Jackson, Tennessee.

Cumberland (Tenn.) is the final MSC ranked team, starting the season at No. 19. The Phoenix recorded an 11-5-1 mark in 2025. Cumberland hosts No. 3-ranked Embry-Riddle (Ariz.) at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 22, in Lebanon, Tennessee.

Defending national champion Keiser (Fla.) begins the season at No. 1 in the poll. No. 5-ranked Marian (Ind.) follows Cumberlands, Embry-Riddle, and Oklahoma Wesleyan in the top five.

The first regular-season poll is scheduled to be released on Wednesday, Sept. 2.