Women's Soccer | 8/21/2026 10:35:00 AM

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Barry Buccaneers, who finished eighth in 2025, were selected 10th in the 2026 Sunshine State Conference women's soccer poll, according to the coaches.

2025 SSC Standings | 2025 SSC Stats

Florida Tech has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the championship, receiving 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.

Barry was one of the top defensive units in the conference last season, tying for the league lead with 12 clean sheets. The Bucs, however, struggled on the offensive end, resulting in seven 0-0 ties in conference play. Freshman keeper Marlen Hernandez was a Second-Team All-SSC pick. For the Bucs, 17 players return from last year. They will be bolstered by one returning starter from 2024, five January transfer who were with the team in the spring, six fall transfers and 10 freshmen.

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. Barry won three national titles after joining the conference, but before the league sponsored the sport in 1989, 1992 and 1993.

The 2026 regular season opens on Thursday, August 27.

FULL SSC COMPOSITE SCHEDULE

The Coaches' Poll is listed below. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own institution.

2026 SSC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll