Four UAA teams are ranked in the United Soccer Coaches preseason women's poll, including defending NCAA Division III runner-up University of Chicago, which is ranked second.
The Maroons are coming off their most accomplished season in program history. They posted a 22-2 overall record in 2017 and reached the NCAA championship match. UChicago set a plethora of new school records for victories, shutouts, goals against average, goals, assists and points. The squad included three All-Americans and five All-Region honorees.
The Washington University in St. Louis women's soccer team opens the 2018 season ranked No. 10 in the United Soccer CoachesPreseason Top-25 Poll. The Bears return 16 letterwinners from a year ago, including eight that made at least 10 starts. The Bears finished the 2017 season with a 17-2-1 record, and advanced to the NCAA Regional for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. The Bears were also the 2017 University Athletic Association (UAA) co-champion.
Carnegie Mellon University, which advanced to the sectional semifinal of the 2017 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship, is ranked 11th in the preseason poll. The Tartans concluded the 2017 season with a 15-3-2 record and made the program's sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament and fourth appearance in the final 16.
Brandeis University is ranked 25th in the poll. The Judges, who reached the Final Four in 2016, are looking for a fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. They return all but two starters from a year ago.