Defending National Champion Florida Tech Is Top Pick in 2026 SSC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
ORLANDO, Fla. – Florida Tech has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2026 Sunshine State Conference women’s soccer championship, according to the preseason coaches’ poll.
The Panthers received a unanimous 10 of a possible 10 first-place votes to earn the top spot in the poll. Nova Southeastern, the 2025 SSC regular-season and tournament champions, were picked second and had the remaining first-place vote.
Florida Tech enters the 2026 season as the defending NCAA Division II Tournament champions after winning their first title in school history 3-0 over Franklin Pierce. The Panthers return 15 players from last season's championship squad and have 17 newcomers.
Eckerd was selected third, followed by Embry-Riddle. The Eagles along with Florida Tech and Nova Southeastern earned bids to the NCAA DII Tournament last year. Rollins is fifth with Florida Southern at number six, while Tampa placed seventh in the rankings. Lynn was picked eighth, followed closely by Palm Beach Atlantic. Barry and Saint Leo round out the poll.
Florida Tech ranks first in the 2026 United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division II preseason women's poll, released on August 4. Nova Southeastern is number seven with Embry-Riddle receiving votes.
Since becoming a conference sport in 1998, SSC women's soccer teams have reached the national quarterfinals 15 times, the semifinals nine times, with three national titles: Florida Tech in 2025, Tampa in 2007 and Lynn in 1998.
The 2026 regular season opens on Thursday, August 27.
The Coaches’ Poll is listed below. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own institution.
2026 SSC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
| Rank |
School |
Points |
| 1 |
Florida Tech |
10 (10) |
| 2 |
Nova Southeastern |
20 (1) |
| 3 |
Eckerd |
32 |
| 4 |
Embry-Riddle |
39 |
| 5 |
Rollins |
47 |
| 6 |
Florida Southern |
55 |
| 7 |
Tampa |
62 |
| 8 |
Lynn |
80 |
| 9 |
Palm Beach Atlantic |
82 |
| 10 |
Barry |
83 |
| 11 |
Saint Leo |
95 |
Previous SSC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
| Year |
Predicted Regular Season Winner |
Regular Season Finish |
Regular Season
Champion |
Predicted
Finish |
Tournament
Champion |
Predicted Regular Season Finish |
| 2025 |
Florida Tech |
3rd |
Nova Southeastern |
2nd |
Nova Southeastern |
2nd |
| 2024 |
Embry-Riddle |
5th |
Florida Tech |
3rd |
Florida Tech |
3rd |
| 2023 |
Nova Southeastern |
3rd |
Embry-Riddle / Florida Tech |
2nd / 3rd |
Embry-Riddle |
2nd |
| 2022 |
Embry-Riddle |
3rd |
Florida Southern |
11th |
Embry-Riddle |
1st |
| 2021 |
Embry-Riddle |
1st |
Embry-Riddle |
1st |
Embry-Riddle |
1st |
| 2020 |
No Season Due to COVID-19 |
| 2019 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry/Rollins |
1st/3rd |
Embry-Riddle |
5th |
| 2018 |
Nova Southeastern |
2nd |
Barry |
2nd |
Barry |
2nd |
| 2017 |
Barry |
2nd |
Nova Southeastern |
3rd |
Florida Tech |
7th |
| 2016 |
Tampa |
5th |
Saint Leo |
5th |
Saint Leo |
5th |
| 2015 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
| 2014 |
Rollins |
2nd |
Barry |
2nd |
Rollins |
2nd |
| 2013 |
Tampa |
3rd |
Barry |
7th |
Rollins |
2nd |
| 2012 |
Rollins |
1st |
Rollins |
1st |
Tampa |
3rd |
| 2011 |
Florida Tech |
T3rd |
Saint Leo |
5th |
Tampa |
2nd |
| 2010 |
Rollins |
5th |
Florida Tech /
Nova Southeastern |
2nd / T7th |
Tampa |
6th |
| 2009 |
Saint Leo |
4th |
Rollins |
2nd |
Rollins |
2nd |
| 2008 |
Tampa |
3rd |
Rollins |
4th |
Saint Leo |
3rd |
| 2007 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2006 |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
Tampa |
1st |
| 2005 |
Barry |
2nd |
Tampa |
2nd |
N/A |
N/A |
| 2004 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
Tampa |
2nd |
| 2003 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
| 2002 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
N/A |
N/A |
| 2001 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
N/A |
N/A |
| 2000 |
Barry |
1st |
Barry |
1st |
N/A |
N/A |