University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Unanimously Voted First in American Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Jul 31, 2026 | Women's Soccer
IRVING, Texas – Memphis women's soccer was picked first unanimously in the 2026 American Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Friday morning. The Tigers also had three student-athletes selected to the league's Preseason Watch List.
Memphis totaled the maximum 100 points behind 10 of the 11 first-place votes, finishing 20 points ahead of second-place UTSA. Rice was picked third with 73 points, followed by South Florida (71) and Tulsa (63). Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. The Tigers have been picked to finish first in seven of their 14 years in the American Conference.
Forward Ellis Kelly, midfielder Ai Kitagawa and defender Finley Lavin represented the Tigers on the 2026 American Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Watch List.
Kelly, a sophomore from Wilmington, North Carolina, enters her second season with Memphis after being named the American Conference Freshman of the Year last season while also earning Freshman of the Week honors on three occasions.
Kitagawa, a native of Itami City, Japan, begins her junior year with the Tigers coming off a stellar 2025 campaign where she was named to the All-South Region and All-Conference First Teams as well as the 2025 American Conference Midfielder of the Year.
Lavin, Memphis' lone senior and team captain from Jarrettsville, Maryland, is one of the Tigers' most decorated student-athletes. She has earned First Team All-American honors, been named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, earned All-South Region and All-Conference First Team recognition, and was named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons.
2026 American Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll (first-place votes)
Note: First-place votes denoted in parenthesis
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Memphis totaled the maximum 100 points behind 10 of the 11 first-place votes, finishing 20 points ahead of second-place UTSA. Rice was picked third with 73 points, followed by South Florida (71) and Tulsa (63). Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team. The Tigers have been picked to finish first in seven of their 14 years in the American Conference.
Forward Ellis Kelly, midfielder Ai Kitagawa and defender Finley Lavin represented the Tigers on the 2026 American Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Watch List.
Kelly, a sophomore from Wilmington, North Carolina, enters her second season with Memphis after being named the American Conference Freshman of the Year last season while also earning Freshman of the Week honors on three occasions.
Kitagawa, a native of Itami City, Japan, begins her junior year with the Tigers coming off a stellar 2025 campaign where she was named to the All-South Region and All-Conference First Teams as well as the 2025 American Conference Midfielder of the Year.
Lavin, Memphis' lone senior and team captain from Jarrettsville, Maryland, is one of the Tigers' most decorated student-athletes. She has earned First Team All-American honors, been named a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist, earned All-South Region and All-Conference First Team recognition, and was named the American Conference Defensive Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons.
2026 American Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll (first-place votes)
- Memphis (10) 100
- UTSA 80
- Rice 73
- South Florida (1) 71
- Tulsa 63
- Charlotte 58
- East Carolina 52
- UAB 45
- North Texas 28
- Florida Atlantic 25
- Temple 10
Note: First-place votes denoted in parenthesis
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team
HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Soccer, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
Saturday, November 22
Saturday, November 15
Monday, November 10
Monday, November 10