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MC women’s soccer picked 6th in OAC Preseason Poll

WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- The Marietta College women’s soccer team was picked to finish sixth in the Ohio Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, released Thursday (August 20) morning by the league office. The Pioneers posted a 5-4-9 record in 2025 and finished with a 3-3-2 record in the OAC, their best records since 2019.

The 2026 landscape looks wide open, but Capital University claimed the top spot earning four first place votes and receiving 57 total points. Ohio Northern claimed a single first place vote and landed in second place with 52 points.

Wilmington, last season’s surprise regular season and tournament champs, received three first place votes and placed third with 50 points. Otterbein got the last first place vote and ranked fourth with 47 points. Mount Union rounded out the top five receiving 35 total points.

Marietta again improved their standing from last year, this time landing in a tie for sixth place with Baldwin Wallace with 28 points apiece. Heidelberg landed eighth (18 points) and Muskingum closed out the list with nine points.

“It means a lot that the conference has finally recognized us as a conference contender,” said Marietta College women’s soccer head coach Zack Votra. “We’re coming off a historic season and returning a lot of key pieces to this team.”

Marietta opens the season at home Tuesday, September 1 with a men’s and women’s soccer doubleheader. The men will battle with Geneva College, with a scheduled start time of 4:30 p.m. The women will follow at 7pm to face Washington and Jefferson College.

“As amazing as it is that everyone is recognizing our growth, we still have a lot to prove,” concluded Votra. “Ultimately, we know we can contend with teams living at the top of the standings.”

The complete poll is below. First place votes are in parenthesis.

OAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll:

1. Capital -- 57 (4)

2. Ohio Northern -- 52 (1)

3. Wilmington -- 50 (3)

4. Otterbein -- 47 (1)

5. Mount Union -- 35

T6. Marietta -- 28

T6. Baldwin Wallace -- 28

8. Heidelberg -- 18

9. Muskingum -- 9