Denison University

2026 Season Preview: Women's Soccer

8/27/2026 12:07:00 PM

Coming off of an NCAC Tournament Championship Appearance in 2025, The Denison women's soccer team looks to repeat the formula once again this fall and stay atop the conference table.

2025 Recap

The Big Red would start out 5-3-2 in non-conference play, winning their last three of four to catapult them into NCAC play. Denison finished 3-1-3 in the conference, with big wins coming against John Carroll and a season finale win against Kenyon in a tight race for the top-four spot for postseason play. The Big Red would then travel to DePauw in an NCAC Tournament Semifinal, where they would come out with a huge road victory to move onto the final. In the NCAC Tournament Championship, Denison would conclude their season to John Carroll 1-0 in University Heights, bringing their overall record to 9-5-5.

NCAC Preseason Poll

Denison and John Carroll tied for four first-place votes in the NCAC preseason poll, but the Big Red accumulated 59 total points in comparison to the Blue Streaks 54. Rounding out the top-five is DePauw (46), Kenyon (36), and Wittenberg (33).

2026 North Coast Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll
Place	Institution (1st Place Votes)	Total Points
1	Denison (4)	59
2	John Carroll (4)	54
3	DePauw	45
4	Kenyon	36
5	Wittenberg	33
6	Wooster	31
7	Ohio Wesleyan	21
8	Oberlin	9

Key Returners

Although the Big Red lose their two-time Defensive Player of the Year in Sarah Sollinger, the squad brings back multiple key pieces for the 2026 season. Returning Midfielder of the Year Maryn Zavislak broke out in her sophomore year, helping a Denison defense to seven shutouts and holding teams to .74 goals per game, ranking third in the conference. Senior midfielder Mattie Mielke was named second-team All-NCAC last season, cashing in five goals and three assists. Mara McGlone and Reily Brinley both earned third-team honors, with McGlone scoring three goals and Brinley becoming a key defensive piece in the Big Red backline.

A Look at the Schedule

Home Opener: Sept. 4 at Otterbein at 6 pm
Family Weekend/Senior Day: Sept. 26 vs. Case Western at 12 pm
NCAC Opener: Oct. 3 at Kenyon at 12 pm
Season Finale: Oct. 31 vs. Ohio Wesleyan at 12 pm

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