CLEVELAND, OH – Denison has been selected as the preseason favorite in the 2026 women's soccer poll, according to voting by league coaches.
Denison narrowly topped John Carroll for the top spot in the 2026 preseason ballot. The Big Red collected four first-place votes and 59 points, edging the Blue Streaks by five points. John Carroll also received four first-place votes and finished with 54 points. DePauw took third with 45 points, Kenyon landed in fourth with 36 points, and Wittenberg rounded out the top five with 33 points. Wooster (31), Ohio Wesleyan (21), and Oberlin (9) closed out the eight-team field.
Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Sarah Brink and assistant coaches Paul Wise and Dr. Veerendra Lele, the Big Red return four all-conference performers from a team that went 9-5-5 overall and 3-1-3 in NCAC play in 2025, ranking third in the league in both shots (263) and goals-against average (0.74). Junior midfielder Maryn Zavislak (Westerville, OH/Olentangy Orange) returns after being named the 2025 NCAC Midfielder of the Year and her first All-NCAC first-team selection following a third-team nod in 2024. A two-way presence, Zavislak ranked among the league's top 10 in shots (27) and shots on goal (18), while her defensive work helped anchor the Denison defense. Also returning is senior midfielder Mattie Mielke (Denver, CO/Colorado Academy), a second-team all-conference selection who led the Big Red with five goals and three assists for 13 points in 2025. Senior forward Mara McGlone (Worthington, OH/Worthington Kilbourne) earned third-team recognition after totaling three goals and six points, and senior defender Reily Brinley (Charlotte, NC/Providence Day School) rounded out the group of 2025 all-conference performers with a third-team nod, pacing Denison with four assists on the season.
The 2026 NCAC women's soccer season kicks off Tuesday, September 1, with all eight teams in non-conference action. Conference play begins Saturday, October 3, and will feature Denison traveling to Kenyon, John Carroll hosting Wittenberg, Oberlin at DePauw, and Wooster visiting Ohio Wesleyan.
2026 North Coast Athletic Conference
Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll |
| Place |
Institution (1st Place Votes) |
Total Points |
| 1 |
Denison (4) |
59 |
| 2 |
John Carroll (4) |
54 |
| 3 |
DePauw |
45 |
| 4 |
Kenyon |
36 |
| 5 |
Wittenberg |
33 |
| 6 |
Wooster |
31 |
| 7 |
Ohio Wesleyan |
21 |
| 8 |
Oberlin |
9 |