NAIA women's soccer coaches poll of Aug. 20, 2025

        NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana women's soccer will begin the 2025 season with its highest-ever ranking in an NAIA coaches poll: among "others receiving votes" with 51 points and 27th place overall.
        The NAIA announced its preseason rankings Wednesday.
        The Gold Nuggets are a third-year varsity program that won the Red River Athletic Conference regular-season championship in 2023 and the RRAC Tournament in 2024. Both teams won first-round games at NAIA nationals, and XULA in 2024 received votes in all eight national polls. XULA's two-year record is 27-12-2 (.683).
        XULA's previous poll high was in the 2024 postseason: 28th place with 37 points.
        Defending NAIA champion SCAD Savannah is No. 1, followed by Keiser and College of Idaho.
        The Gold Nuggets scrimmaged against LSU-Eunice and Mississippi Gulf Coast and will open the regular season next week. Those first five games:
        • Tuesday, Aug. 26 at home (Lafreniere Park) vs. Mobile — 11:30 a.m.
        • Friday, Sept. 5 at NAIA No. 20 Life — 6 p.m. EDT
        • Sunday, Sept. 7 at NAIA No. 22 Georgia Gwinnett — noon EDT
        • Saturday, Sept. 13 at NAIA No. 5 William Carey — 5 p.m.
        • Thursday, Sept. 25 at home (Lafreniere Park) vs. Texas College — women 1 p.m., men 3:30 p.m.
        Lafreniere Park is at 3000 Downs Blvd. in suburban Metairie, La., and 8.6 miles west of the XULA campus. Vehicles on Interstate 10 can use exit 225 at Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Admission is free to all XULA home games.