CHICAGO, Ill. -- Coming off the most successful season in program history, North Park Women's Soccer has been picked second in the 2026 College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, the highest preseason ranking the Vikings have ever received. North Park earned 53 points and one first-place vote, positioning itself as one of the conference's top contenders entering the new season. 

The ranking follows a historic 2025 campaign under CCIW Coach of the Year Emma Woodley. The Vikings shattered program records with six conference victories and four All-CCIW selections while earning the program's first-ever CCIW Tournament berth, first-ever appearance in the conference tournament championship match, and highest finish in conference play with a second-place finish in the final standings.

North Park returns all four All-CCIW honorees from that record-setting team, providing a strong foundation for another championship chase in 2026. 

Caroline Sjøstedt earned First Team All-CCIW honors after leading the conference with six assists during league play, becoming the first Viking in program history to lead the CCIW in assists while tying a single-season record for NPU with 9 assists on the year. Sofia Svensson was named First Team All-CCIW and CCIW First-Year Student-Athlete of the Year after leading the conference with eight goals and 17 points in league matches. She is only the second player in Viking history to lead the CCIW in goals and points in a single season, behind none other than Coach Woodley who did the same in 2014 with 9 goals and 19 points. Maja Applequist collected Second Team All-CCIW recognition while anchoring the Vikings' midfield, leading the team in minutes played during conference action. Hannah Björkegren earned Second Team All-CCIW honors after finishing among the conference leaders in goals, shots, and points while serving as a consistent attacking threat.

More info on the 2026 Vikings will be available in the season preview at the end of August.

2026 CCIW Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll