KANSAS CITY, Mo. – After another deep NCAA Tournament run in 2025, the Cal Lutheran women's soccer team will begin the 2026 campaign ranked No. 14 in the United Soccer Coaches/Intercollegiate Women's Soccer Organization for Coaches (IWSOC) NCAA Division III Preseason Poll, released Tuesday.
The Regals earned the No. 14 ranking after posting a 17-3-2 record last season, capturing the SCIAC Tournament championship for the first time since 2011 and advancing to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16. The appearance marked Cal Lutheran's third consecutive national tournament berth and continued the momentum of a program that captured the 2023 National Championship.
Cal Lutheran is one of two Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) programs represented in the preseason poll, joining No. 6 Pomona-Pitzer. The Sagehens advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2025 and finished the season with a 16-1-5 record.
The Regals return a veteran core highlighted by fifth-year standouts
Olivia Suarez and
Tessa French. Suarez returns after earning United Soccer Coaches All-America honors, while French garnered All-Region recognition in 2025.
Also returning are seniors
Hannah Gamez and
Hana Sawan, who each earned CSC Academic All-District honors last season and will provide leadership to an experienced roster.
Defending national champion Washington University (Mo.) claimed the No. 1 spot in the preseason rankings, followed by Emory, Chicago, Tufts and Messiah.
Cal Lutheran opens its 2026 schedule with a pair of home exhibition matches, hosting Cal State Los Angeles on Thursday, August 20, before welcoming Biola on Monday, August 24. The Regals officially begin the regular season on Thursday, September 3, when they host Concordia University Texas as they set their sights on another SCIAC championship and NCAA Tournament berth.
