KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) announced its preseason coaches' poll for the 2026 women's soccer season on Wednesday, and RSU was picked 11^th.
 
The Hillcats earned 41 points in the preseason poll, placing them ahead of Missouri Southern and Newman. Washburn, the defending NCAA Central Region champion, topped the rankings with seven first-place votes. Pittsburg State, the reigning MIAA champion, closely followed in second place with six first-place selections. Central Missouri was ranked third with 119 points, while Missouri Western (MIAA Tournament Champion) secured fourth with 108 points. Central Oklahoma completed the top five with 96 points.
 
Rogers State aims to improve on its 2-8-7 (2-6-4 MIAA) record and ninth-place MIAA finish from last season.
 
Alex Latorre was announced as the seventh head coach of the program and will look to guide the Hillcats to their first-ever MIAA Tournament appearance. Senior Calais Butts is the top returner from last season, having been named to the D2CCA All-Central Region Second Team, MIAA Goalkeeper of the Year and All-MIAA Third Team. Additionally, 13 other members from last year's squad will return in 2026.
 
RSU will open the season on Aug. 27 at 6 p.m. in Tyler, Texas, against UT Tyler. Their first home match will be against Ouachita Baptist on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. Conference play kicks off on Friday, Sept. 18, at 7 p.m. at home against Fort Hays State.
 
The MIAA Tournament will take place Nov. 1 at the site of the top four seeds, followed by semifinals and championship games on Nov. 6-8 in Kansas City.  The 2026 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Championship will take place Dec. 3-5 at the CPKC Stadium in Kansas City as part of the NCAA Division II Fall Festival.