Western Washington and Cal Poly women's soccer teams prepare for 2026 season

Western Washington University’s women’s soccer program entered the 2026 season ranked No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches/IWSOC Division II preseason poll after a 14‑1‑7 record and a second straight GNAC regular‑season title. Head coach Travis Connell, in his 24th season, will lead a squad featuring 20 returning letter‑winners and a new All‑Northwest recruiting class. The Vikings open with a cross‑border friendly at the University of Victoria and host the University of Hawai‘i Hilo for the season opener on Aug. 27.

Cal Poly’s women’s soccer team returns as defending Big West champions, aiming for a second straight title in 2026. Coach Bernardo Silva leads a veteran core highlighted by senior forward Annika Smith, the 2025 Big West Offensive Player of the Year, and junior goalkeeper Shannon Porubski. The Mustangs’ schedule includes matches against No. 1 Stanford and a rematch with UC Santa Barbara, with the season opening at home against UNLV on Aug. 12.