Mandan tops preseason WDA soccer poll

BISMARCK  – Defending ND state champion Mandan picked up seven first place votes and 63 total points to grab the top spot in the WDA preseason coaches’ poll. 
    Five-time defending WDA champion Minot High was second with 57 points and earned the other two first place votes. 
    Just five points separate spots three thru six in voting. Jamestown was third with 42 points followed closely by Minot North with 41 and Bismarck Century and Bismarck Legacy each getting 38 points. Bismarck Highw as seventh with 20 points. Bismarck St. Mary’s was eighth with 17 and Williston ninth with eight points.
 Teams received eight points for a first place vote...seven for second...six for third..five for fourth...four for fifth...three for sixth...two for seventh...and one for eighth. Coaches did not vote for their own team. The poll was conducted by Matt Mullally, WDA SID.
This marks the 30th year of WDA-sponsored play. The top four finishers in the conference standings will qualify for the ND state tournament which is May 28-30 in Bismarck.
Weather permitting, the season will start March 27 for several teams.

2026 WDA Coaches Poll
1. Mandan (7 first place votes), 63 points
2. Minot High (2), 57 
3. Jamesotwn, 42
4. Minot North, 41
5. Bismarck Century, 38
5. Bismarck Legacy, 38
7. Bismarck High, 20
8. Bismarck St. Mary’s, 17
9. Williston, 8
First place votes in parenthesis

Photo by Loralyn Joyce