KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Pittsburg State University women's soccer team was selected second in the 2026 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Coaches Poll released Wednesday (Aug. 19).

Pittsburg State with 136 points and six first-place votes is coming off claiming the MIAA regular season title in 2025, in only the second season as a program. The preseason favorite, Washburn claimed 138 points and the other seven first-place votes after advancing to the NCAA Division II Final Four last fall.

Central Missouri (119 pts), Missouri Western (108 pts), Central Oklahoma (96 pts), Northwest Missouri (92 pts), Emporia State (85 pts) and Northeastern State (66 pts) rounded out the top-eight teams. Nebraska - Kearney (45 pts), Fort Hays State (43 pts), Rogers State (41 pts), Missouri Southern (25 pts) and Newman (22 pts) rounded out the poll.

Third-year head coach Wes Branstetter will have a 26-member roster this season, headlined by the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, Carrie Cunningham, to lead eight All-MIAA returners.

The Gorillas are scheduled to begin the 2026 season at home against preseason ranked No. 9 University of Missouri - St. Louis Tritons on Thursday (Aug. 27), kickoff from the Gorilla Soccer Pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. (CDT).