OXFORD, Ohio. – The Indiana University Kokomo women's soccer team has been selected to finish second in the River States Conference, as announced Thursday with the release of the 2026 RSC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
IU Kokomo received two first-place votes and 53 total points to claim the second spot in the preseason rankings. WVU Tech earned six first-place votes and 60 points to enter the season as the conference favorite, while IU East was picked third with 49 points. Brescia received the remaining first-place vote and finished fourth with 48 points.
The Cougars and sixth-year head coach Sohaila Akhavein enter the 2026 campaign looking to build on a strong 2025 season in which IU Kokomo finished 10-5-4 overall and 7-1-2 in River States Conference play. The Cougars' lone conference loss came against eventual RSC champion Oakland City, as IU Kokomo finished second in the regular season standings and earned the No. 2 seed in the RSC Tournament.
IU Kokomo earned a bye to the RSC Tournament semifinals before seeing its season come to a close against WVU Tech. With two-time defending conference champion Oakland City no longer a member of the River States Conference, the race for the 2026 title figures to be wide open.
The Cougars return a strong foundation from last year's squad, including two student-athletes who earned All-River States Conference recognition during the 2025 season. That returning experience, paired with a talented group of newcomers, gives IU Kokomo plenty to build around as it looks to once again compete near the top of the conference standings.
IU Kokomo will open the 2026 season Thursday, Aug. 20, traveling to St. Louis, Missouri, for a matchup with Harris-Stowe State. River States Conference play is scheduled to begin in late September, with the Cougars looking to build on last season's second-place conference finish.
2026 RSC PRESEASON WOMEN'S SOCCER COACHES' POLL
- WVU Tech (60 points, 6 first-place votes)
- IU Kokomo (53 points, 2 first-place votes)
- IU East (49 points)
- Brescia (48 points, 1 first-place vote)
- Rio Grande (40 points)
- IU Columbus (27 points)
- Midway (22 points)
- Saint Mary-of-the-Woods (17 points)
- Kentucky Christian (8 points)
For the latest news, updates, and information on the IU Kokomo Cougars, fans can visit IUKCougars.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Cougar news by following @IUKAthletics on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
