Air Force Women's Soccer Enters 2026 as Mountain West Preseason Poll Favorite with Three on Watch List
8/5/2026 1:12:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LAS VEGAS, Nev., – Air Force women's soccer has been selected to finish first in the Mountain West in the 2026 Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced Wednesday morning. The Falcons also placed three student-athletes on the 2026 Mountain West Women's Soccer Watch List.
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, Air Force earned seven first-place votes and 96 total points to claim the top spot in the predicted order of finish.
"We are honored to receive the respect from our fellow Mountain West opponents," expressed head coach Laura Busby. "Pressure is a privilege and our team that with respect comes responsibility. We are committed to the process and laser focused on achieving our goals this season."
The Falcons enter 2026 following a historic 2025 campaign that included their first Mountain West Tournament appearance since 2017 and the highest tournament seed in program history. Air Force also captured its best regular-season conference finish since 1995, produced the program's first Mountain West Coach of the Year, and its second Mountain West Player of the Year.
Representing the Falcons on the 2026 Mountain West Women's Soccer Watch List are seniors Ava Carpentier and Jordan Dillingham, along with junior Annika Jost.
Carpentier has been a steady presence on the Falcons' back line throughout her career. Last season, she started 14 matches while appearing in all 19 contests, totaling 1,049 minutes of action. She capped her junior campaign by earning Mountain West All-Tournament Team honors.
Dillingham has anchored the Air Force defense through her first two collegiate seasons, logging 2,524 career minutes. The Sacramento, California, native started all 18 matches in 2025, playing the full 90 minutes seven times while scoring her first collegiate goal against Northern Colorado on Sept. 19.
Jost returns after a breakout sophomore season that earned her Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors. The midfielder started all 18 matches, recording 10 goals and four assists while producing the Falcons' first hat trick since 2021. She also became the first player in program history to earn CSC Academic All-America recognition.
Air Force on MW+
Watch Air Force Athletics on the new MW+. To become a subscriber, click HERE.
Coming off one of the most successful seasons in program history, Air Force earned seven first-place votes and 96 total points to claim the top spot in the predicted order of finish.
"We are honored to receive the respect from our fellow Mountain West opponents," expressed head coach Laura Busby. "Pressure is a privilege and our team that with respect comes responsibility. We are committed to the process and laser focused on achieving our goals this season."
The Falcons enter 2026 following a historic 2025 campaign that included their first Mountain West Tournament appearance since 2017 and the highest tournament seed in program history. Air Force also captured its best regular-season conference finish since 1995, produced the program's first Mountain West Coach of the Year, and its second Mountain West Player of the Year.
Representing the Falcons on the 2026 Mountain West Women's Soccer Watch List are seniors Ava Carpentier and Jordan Dillingham, along with junior Annika Jost.
Carpentier has been a steady presence on the Falcons' back line throughout her career. Last season, she started 14 matches while appearing in all 19 contests, totaling 1,049 minutes of action. She capped her junior campaign by earning Mountain West All-Tournament Team honors.
Dillingham has anchored the Air Force defense through her first two collegiate seasons, logging 2,524 career minutes. The Sacramento, California, native started all 18 matches in 2025, playing the full 90 minutes seven times while scoring her first collegiate goal against Northern Colorado on Sept. 19.
Jost returns after a breakout sophomore season that earned her Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year honors. The midfielder started all 18 matches, recording 10 goals and four assists while producing the Falcons' first hat trick since 2021. She also became the first player in program history to earn CSC Academic All-America recognition.
Air Force on MW+
Watch Air Force Athletics on the new MW+. To become a subscriber, click HERE.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, October 29
Tuesday, October 14
Tuesday, September 30
Friday, September 19
