FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The Fairmont State women's soccer team was picked to finish first place in the Mountain East Conference North Division after the conference's coaches' poll was released on Thursday (Aug. 20) afternoon.
 
The Falcons totaled 59 points in the voting with nine first place votes as the team is coming off a 17-2-3 season with a 10-1-3 conference record. Last year's team won the MEC Tournament and made it to the second round of the 2025 NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. The Falcons return Valentina Gianinetto, a D2CCA All- Atlantic Region Second Team member and All-MEC First Team Member. Fairmont State also welcomes back all-conference selections Agnes Bjork, Olivia Johnson, Serenity Thomas and Ava Yannucci for the 2026 season. The Fighting Falcons also enter the 2026 season under new Head Coach Alex Zaroyan. 
 
Frostburg State and West Liberty are tied for second place with 51 votes, the bobcats received three first place votes. Point Park (41), Davis & Elkins (21) and Wheeling (18) round out the north division.
 
In the South, West Virginia State totaled 58 points and eight first place votes. Charleston follows with 51 points and four first place votes. The bottom of the South Division are Concord (43), West Virginia Wesleyan (30), Glenville State (22) and Shawnee State (12).
 
The Falcons will begin their season Thursday, August 27 against Slippery Rock for the 2026 Falcon season opener.
 
2026 MEC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll

NORTH DIVISION
1. Fairmont State (9) – 59
T-2. Frostburg State (3) – 51
T-2. West Liberty – 51
4. Point Park – 42
5. Davis & Elkins – 21
6. Wheeling – 18

SOUTH DIVISION
1. West Virginia State (8) – 58
2. Charleston (4) – 51
3. Concord – 43
4. West Virginia Wesleyan – 30
5. Glenville State – 22
6. Shawnee State – 12