KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Maryville women's soccer team will begin the 2026 season ranked No. 21 in the United Soccer Coaches/IWSOC NCAA Division II Women's Coaches Poll.

The Saints are coming off a historic 2025 season that saw them advance to the NCAA Midwest Regional Final for the first time in program history. Head coach Lori Lawson's squad posted a 13-3-6 record while losing just one Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) match all season.

Maryville returns its leading scorer in Sophia Carter, who recorded seven goals and four assists during her freshman campaign. Carter earned GLVC Freshman of the Year honors and All-Region recognition from both the United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA.

Carissa Speight headlines the returning defense after earning All-GLVC Second Team honors. She led the Saints with 1,874 minutes played while adding two goals and two assists.

The Saints open the 2026 season with four consecutive road matches, beginning Thursday, Aug. 27, at Washburn in Topeka, Kan.