SAINT MARY-OF-THE-WOODS, Ind. — Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College has been picked eighth in the 2026 River States Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Thursday.
The Pomeroys received 17 points in voting by the conference's head coaches as SMWC prepares for its fifth season under head coach Ronald Kiernicki.
WVU Tech was selected as the preseason favorite, receiving 60 points and six first-place votes. IU Kokomo was second with 53 points and two first-place votes, while IU East was third with 49 points.
Brescia earned the remaining first-place vote and was picked fourth with 48 points. Rio Grande followed in fifth with 40 points, ahead of IU Columbus with 27 and Midway with 22.
SMWC was eighth with 17 points, while Kentucky Christian rounded out the nine-team poll with eight points.
The Pomeroys will have several opportunities to challenge teams picked near the top of the conference during a road-heavy RSC schedule. SMWC opens conference play Oct. 3 at preseason No. 3 IU East before traveling to No. 5 Rio Grande on Oct. 8, preseason favorite WVU Tech on Oct. 10 and No. 4 Brescia on Oct. 15.
SMWC's RSC home opener is scheduled for Oct. 18 against Midway at McMahon Field. The Pomeroys will also host IU Columbus on Oct. 25 and Kentucky Christian on Oct. 31 before closing the conference road schedule Oct. 29 at IU Kokomo.
Before conference play begins, SMWC will navigate a nonconference schedule that includes a preseason exhibition against NCAA Division I Indiana State on Aug. 19 and the regular-season opener Aug. 23 at Georgetown College.
The Pomeroys make their 2026 McMahon Field debut Sept. 1 against Rose-Hulman at 5 p.m.
The opening round of the River States Conference Women's Soccer Tournament is scheduled for Nov. 4, followed by the semifinals Nov. 7 and championship match Nov. 11.
Live video and live statistics for available matches can be found at SMWCAthletics.com.
2026 RSC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
- WVU Tech — 60 points (6 first-place votes)
- IU Kokomo — 53 points (2)
- IU East — 49 points
- Brescia — 48 points (1)
- Rio Grande — 40 points
- IU Columbus — 27 points
- Midway — 22 points
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods — 17 points
- Kentucky Christian — 8 points
