GORHAM, Maine – The four-time defending Little East Conference Champion (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's soccer team the University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's soccer team has voted to finish second in the 2026 LEC Preseason Coaches' Poll.
The Huskies received one first-place votes and earned 52 points to finish second. Eastern Connecticut State University was chosen to finish atop the conference with six first-place votes and 61 points. The Warriors finished as the 2026 LEC regular season champion. Western Connecticut State University finished just one point behind the Huskies with 51 points and one first-place vote to finish third in the voting. Keene State earned 40 points and was chosen to finish fourth.
Returning to Hannaford Field last week for preseason, the Huskies' begin their 2026 campaign under third-year head coach
Martyn Keen. Keen and the Huskies face UMaine Farmington on the road in their season-opener on Tuesday, September 1 (4:00 pm). The Huskies host University of Wisconsin La Crosse on Friday, September 4 (3:00 pm) at Hannaford Field in their home-opener. The Huskies host UMass Dartmouth on Saturday, September 12 (3:00 pm) in their Little East opener.
Graduating a significant senior class for the second consecutive season, the Huskies return sophomore forwards
Lexi Morin (Brunswick, Maine) and
Marie Benoit (Hallowell, Maine) up front. Both played in each of the Huskies' 24 games last season with Morin contributing six goals and six assists, while Benoit had four goals and an assist, including a goal in USM's NCAA tournament game against No. 4 Messiah University. Southern Maine also returns veteran leadership in captains
Kadin Davoren (Yarmouth, Maine),
Natalie Flageolle (Broomfield, Colo.),
Ani Roberts (Bangor, Maine) and
Elizabeth Talbot (Windham, Maine). In addition to its returning players, Southern Maine adds 14 first-year players including 13 freshman and one junior transfer.
| 2026 Little East Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll (FPV) |
| 1. |
Eastern Connecticut |
61 points |
(6) |
| 2. |
Southern Maine |
52 points |
(1) |
| 3. |
Western Connecticut |
51 points |
(1) |
| 4 |
Keene State |
40 points |
|
| 5. |
Rhode Island College |
36 points |
(1) |
| 6. |
UMass Boston |
32 points |
|
| 7. |
UMass Dartmouth |
24 points |
|
| 8. |
VTSU Castleton |
20 points |
|
| 9. |
Plymouth State |
8 points |
|
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