APPLETON, Wis. — The Lawrence University women's soccer team was picked to finish third in the annual Midwest Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Vikings tallied 68 points in the poll. Lawrence is coming off a strong 2025 conference campaign, finishing 5-1-2 in Midwest Conference play before advancing to the championship match of the Midwest Conference Tournament.

Lawrence returns three first-team All-Midwest Conference selections from last season in Ava Elders, Kate Noonan and Hannah Kalt, along with several other key contributors from the 2025 squad.

Elders led the Vikings offensively with team highs of nine goals and 20 points while also scoring four game-winning goals. Noonan finished right behind her with six goals and four assists for 16 points.

Elena Hartung also returns after recording three goals and a team-high five assists for 11 points, while Kalt contributed three goals and two assists. Kylie Melonis added three goals and an assist as part of a returning group that accounted for a significant portion of Lawrence's offense last season.

Three-time defending Midwest Conference champion Lake Forest was picked to win the conference again in 2026. The Foresters received 81 points and nine first-place votes.

Lawrence followed in third with 68 points, while Grinnell was fourth with 54 points and conference newcomer Luther rounded out the top five with 46.

Ripon was sixth with 41 points, followed by Knox with 29, Monmouth with 27, Beloit with 24 and Cornell with 10.

The Midwest Conference Tournament expands to six teams this season. Quarterfinal action is set for Nov. 3, with the semifinals and championship scheduled for Nov. 6-7.

The Vikings open the 2026 season on Sept. 1 when they travel to Mequon, Wis., to take on Concordia University Wisconsin at 4 p.m.

2026 MWC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Lake Forest (9 first-place votes) — 81 points

2. Illinois College (1) — 70 points

3. Lawrence — 68 points

4. Grinnell — 54 points

5. Luther — 46 points

6. Ripon — 41 points

7. Knox — 29 points

8. Monmouth — 27 points

9. Beloit — 24 points

10. Cornell — 10 points