The Calvin University women's soccer team has been picked to finish first in the 2026 MIAA Preseason Poll released by the conference on Tuesday.
 
The Knights finished the poll with 62 points and received six first place votes while Hope was close behind with 59 points and three first place votes. Trine rounded out the top three with 48 points. 
 
Last season under the direction of head coach Emily Ottenhoff the Knights snagged their fourth straight MIAA Championship before being knocked out in the second round of the NCAA DIII Tournament. 
 
Calvin returns several key members from last year's championship winning team including senior Mikaela Waroway (Ann Arbor, Mich./Father Gabriel Richard) who led the Knights in goals (11) and total points (27) last season.
 
Fifth year senior Mia Brown (Muskegon, Mich./Mona Shores) and senior Katherine Bergman (Farmington Hills, Mich./Farmington) will be key pieces of the Calvin backline this season while junior Olivia Rawls (Geneva, Ill./Geneva) and senior Avery Mrozinski (Milford, Mich./Milford) will be on the attack. 
 
The Knights are also excited to see fifth year senior and former MIAA Most Valuable Player (2022 & 2023) Lucy Iverson (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North) return to the lineup after missing last season due to injury. 
 
The Knights will kick off their 2026 campaign on Tuesday, September 1st when they travel to take on Wheaton College at 6 PM (CT).
 
Full poll results are below:

1. Calvin University - 62 (6 first place votes)
2. Hope College - 59 points (3 first place votes)
3. Trine University - 48 points
4. Kalamazoo College - 41 points
5. Adrian College - 35 points
6. Albion College - 33 points
7. Saint Mary's College - 22 points
8. Alma College - 16 points
9. The University of Olivet - 8 points