GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Belmont Abbey women's soccer team is picked to finish second in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll released Wednesday afternoon by the league office. The poll was voted on by the league's head coaches and they can't vote on their own school.
The Crusaders captured the Conference Carolinas Tournament title last season and finished with a 16-5-1 record, earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Francis Marion — who faced Belmont Abbey in the championship match last season — was tabbed the preseason favorite with 220 points and 10 first-place votes. Belmont Abbey finished with 204 points and five first-place votes.
UNC Pembroke, Young Harris and Chowan round out the top five in the poll.
The 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Championship is scheduled to start with preliminary rounds on October 28 and 31 before the semifinals and final will be competed at Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, North Carolina on November 5 and 7.
Belmont Abbey opens the regular season with a match against UNC Pembroke on Thursday, August 27 at 4:30 p.m. from Alumni Field.
2026 Conference Carolinas
Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
|
School |
Points (1st Place) |
| 1 |
Francis Marion |
220 (10) |
| 2 |
Belmont Abbey |
204 (5) |
| 3 |
UNC Pembroke |
192 |
| 4 |
Young Harris |
166 |
| 5 |
Chowan |
145 |
| 6 |
Converse |
142 |
| 7 |
Lees-McRae |
141 |
| 8 |
North Greenville |
118 |
| 9 |
Emmanuel |
115 (1) |
| 10 |
Ferrum |
99 |
| 11 |
Mount Olive |
88 |
| 12 |
Southern Wesleyan |
86 |
| 13 |
Barton |
82 |
| 14 |
King |
58 |
| 15 |
Erskine |
40 |
| 16 |
Shorter |
24 |
2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer
Players to Watch
Belmont Abbey
- Jadyn Radestock, Sr., D, San Diego, California (2025 All-Conference Carolinas first team, United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region third team)
- Haley Long, Sr., F, Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Three-time All-Conference Carolinas selection)
- Maris Toppin, Jr., D, Carolina Beach, North Carolina (2025 All-Conference Carolinas second team)
