Trojans Picked 11th in Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive women's soccer team was picked to finish 11th in the 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, as announced by the league office Wednesday afternoon.

The Trojans earned 88 points in the poll to place 11th overall. Francis Marion topped the poll with 220 points and 10 first-place votes, while defending Conference Carolinas champion Belmont Abbey was selected second with 204 points and five first-place votes. UNC Pembroke followed in third with 192 points, while Young Harris and Chowan rounded out the top five with 166 and 145 points, respectively.

Mount Olive returns several key contributors heading into the 2026 season, including Charlotte Benson, Yanelli Sanchez and Anais Coyne, who were each selected as players to watch.

Benson led the Trojans offensively last season, finishing as the team's leading scorer with three goals and six points while also attempting a team-high number of shots. Sanchez returns after last competing during the 2024 season, when she recorded eight goals and two assists for 18 points in 15 starts, including three game-winning goals. Coyne anchors the Trojans in goal after starting all 19 matches last season and recording 84 saves with a .743 save percentage.

The 2026 Conference Carolinas Women's Soccer Championship is scheduled to begin with preliminary rounds on October 28 and 31. The semifinals and championship match will be held November 5 and 7 at Truist Soccer Complex at Bryan Park in Browns Summit, North Carolina.

The preseason poll was voted on by the league's head coaches and they can't vote for their own school.

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Players Mentioned

#6 Charlotte Benson: D; 5' 5"; Freshman

#1 Anais Coyne: GK; 5' 5"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#6 Charlotte Benson
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: D

#1 Anais Coyne
: 5' 5"; Senior
: GK

scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#6 Charlotte Benson

#1 Anais Coyne

Players Mentioned

#6 Charlotte Benson

#1 Anais Coyne