JACKSON, Miss. - Fresh off winning its first Collegiate Conference of the South Women's Soccer Championship, Belhaven has been selected as the favorite in the 2026 CCS Women's Soccer Preseason Poll.

The Blazers received 33 points and four first-place votes in balloting conducted among the conference's seven head coaches. It marks the first time Belhaven has earned the top position in the CCS preseason poll.

Belhaven finished the 2025 campaign with a 14-5-3 overall record and a 6-1-1 mark in conference play. The Blazers outscored their opponents 64-21 and recorded 13 shutouts across 22 matches. Belhaven's 64 goals led all CCS programs, while its average of 2.91 goals per match ranked second in the league.

The Blazers return 15 players from last season's championship squad and welcome 11 newcomers for the 2026 campaign. Alexis Whiting headlines the returning group after scoring seven goals and totaling 14 points last season. Whiting is the lone returner among Belhaven's six 2025 All-CCS honorees.

Kinsey Carter returns after recording three goals and two assists, while Faith Dreyer contributed two goals and three assists during her debut season. Alyssa Wilson and Jensen Ward each added two goals and two assists.

In goal, seniors Addi Roberts and Sidney Roest return for the Blazers. Roberts made 58 saves and earned 10 victories in 2025, while Roest did not allow a goal across six appearances. The Blazers opens its 2026 regular season tomorrow, Tuesday, Sept. 1, against Centenary in Shreveport, La. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

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