Phoenix Check In at No. 20 in First Regular-Season NAIA Coaches’ Poll

KANSAS CITY, Mo.-- Cumberland women's soccer came in at No. 20 in the first regular-season edition of the STADIONIC NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll, released Wednesday by the national office.

The Phoenix moved down one position from their preseason ranking after opening the 2026 season with a 2-1 record. Cumberland has won two straight matches following a season-opening loss to No. 3 Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).

Cumberland earned its first victory of the season with a back-and-forth 4-3 win over Madonna (Mich.) before posting a 2-0 shutout against Milligan (Tenn.). The Phoenix have scored seven goals through three matches while averaging 21.3 shots per contest, the 21st-best mark in the NAIA.

Cumberlands (Ky.) climbed one spot to take over the No. 1 ranking with nine first-place votes. Keiser (Fla.) slipped to No. 2 and received the remaining eight first-place votes. Embry-Riddle held steady at No. 3, while Marian (Ind.) and Indiana Wesleyan rounded out the top five.

Cumberland was one of three Mid-South Conference programs included in the Top 25. Cumberlands led the rankings, Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) climbed three spots to No. 13 and the Phoenix landed at No. 20. Campbellsville (Ky.) received votes in the poll.

The poll featured considerable movement following the opening weeks of the season. Indiana Wesleyan made the largest climb inside the top 10, moving six positions to No. 5, while Benedictine (Kan.), Northwestern Ohio and SCAD (Ga.) entered the rankings.

The next STADIONIC NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll will be released Wednesday, Sept. 16.

The Phoenix will take on RV Eastern Oregon today at 2:00 p.m.

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