WAYNESBURG, Pa. (Aug. 21) – The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) released its annual women's soccer preseason poll on Friday, which was voted on by the league's 13 head coaches. After putting together arguably the best season in program history, Waynesburg was picked to finish third for the 2026 campaign.
 
The three-time defending PAC champions from Grove City were predicted to score a fourth-straight crown after totaling 132 points in the poll and 11-of-13 first-place votes. Saint Vincent, which fell to the Jackets in the 2025 PAC semifinals, got the number-two spot with 115 points. The Jackets wrapped up the top three with 111 points and the final two first-place votes.
 
Waynesburg produced a 12-game unbeaten streak (10-0-2) to highlight a 17-3-2 campaign in 2025 that included an 8-1-2 mark in PAC play. The Jackets advanced to last year's league championship match, but came up just short of victory in a 1-0 setback.
 
That loss to the Wolverines didn't end the Orange and Black's season, however, as the Jackets not only qualified for the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) tournament, but defeated Pitt Greensburg and Keene State to earn its first ECAC championship trophy.
 
Click on this link for a complete look at this year's poll and the 2026 PAC Women's Soccer Players to Watch.
 
Waynesburg opens the 2026 campaign on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with a road non-PAC match at the University of Mount Union. The Jackets play their first game John F. Wiley Stadium on Friday, Sept. 11, against Baldwin Wallace.