KENOSHA, Wis. — The Carthage College women's soccer team was ranked No. 6 in Region VIII in the first 2026 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Coaches Poll, released Tuesday, Sept. 15.

The Firebirds received the No. 6 spot in the initial Region VIII rankings with a 2-1-2 record through their first five matches of the season. Carthage is one of eight teams included in the opening regional poll.

WashU claimed the No. 1 position, followed by the UChicago at No. 2 and North Central (Ill.) at No. 3. Hope, Calvin, Carthage, Elmhurst, and Illinois Wesleyan rounded out the regional rankings.

Carthage opened the season with a 1-0 victory over Edgewood at Art Keller Field, controlling the match with a 22-2 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge in shots on goal. Emma Amberg scored the game's lone goal in the 20th minute, while Tatiana Valdez recorded a shutout in her Carthage debut.

The Firebirds followed with consecutive draws, battling Lawrence to a 1-1 finish before playing Mount St. Joseph to a scoreless draw. Malie Cassel scored Carthage's goal against Lawrence, while Valdez made three saves to help preserve the result. Against Mount St. Joseph, Valdez recorded seven saves for her second shutout of the season.

Carthage then earned a 3-2 comeback victory over UW-Whitewater at Art Keller Field. Ashley Gorder scored with two seconds remaining in the first half, while Cassel and Peyton Olinski found the net in the final 11 minutes to complete the comeback. Valdez made seven saves before Vickie Engel added two saves during the final 30:07.

The Firebirds most recently faced Hope, falling 3-0 in Holland, Michigan. Despite the result, Carthage enters the first regional ranking at 2-1-2.

Carthage will continue its 2026 campaign with their home contest against Lake Forest Wednesday, September 16 at 5 p.m.