WASHINGTON, D.C. – The University of Dayton women's soccer team was picked first in the 2026 Atlantic 10 Conference's annual Preseason Poll, while Lauryn Contini, Liv Grenda, Bre Mendoza and Laney Smith were named to the 11-woman Preseason All-Conference Team.
 
The A10 Preseason Poll and Preseason All-Conference team, announced Monday morning, are voted on by the league's head coaches.
 
Dayton, who went 10-0 in the league a season ago and won the Atlantic 10 Championship, earned 188 points and nine first-place votes.
 
Lauryn Contini made 19 starts in her first season as a Flyer, totaling nine points thanks to three goals and three assists. Liv Grenda was named the A10 Midfielder of the Year after registering 16 points on a team-high six goals and four assists. The Perkasi, Pa. native was also named All-Atlantic 10 first team and A10 All-Academic team. Bre Mendoza, who earned All-A10 second team honors last season, was a key member of a Flyers' defense that posted 15 shutouts and allowed just 12 goals all season. Laney Smith was a first team All-Conference member last season after scoring six goals and adding five assist for 17 total points.
 
Saint Louis earned the second spot in the preseason poll, collecting 182 points and three first-place tallies. Rhode Island was tabbed third with 164 points and a first place vote, while Fordham (135) and Loyola Chicago (133) round out the top five.
 
The Flyers officially kick off the program's 43rd season of women's soccer on the road, traveling to Morgantown, W. Va. on Thursday, Aug. 13 to take on West Virginia at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. UD's first regular season game at the friendly confines of Baujan Field will come Sunday, Aug. 16 against Toledo at 1 p.m.
 
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