Army West Point Athletics
Women's Soccer Tabbed Patriot League Preseason Favorite; Four Black Knights Earn Spots on 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Team
August 06, 2026 | Women's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Army West Point women's soccer placed four players on the 2026 Preseason All-Patriot League Team, the most of any program, as the Patriot League announced its preseason poll and awards on Thursday morning. Junior forward Bella Conti, sophomore forward Sophia Henry, junior midfielder Grace Pohlidal and junior defender Daisy West were each selected to the preseason team. Conti was also voted the Patriot League Preseason Forward of the Year.
Army was picked first in the 2026 Patriot League Preseason Poll with 77 points and six first-place votes. Boston University followed with 76 points and four first-place votes.
Conti earned preseason recognition after appearing in 16 matches with 13 starts during Army's 2025 Patriot League championship season. She led the Black Knights with eight assists and finished second on the team in shots with 42. She was named to the All-Patriot League Second Team last fall and previously earned Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2024.
Henry appeared in 20 matches in 2025 and finished with 11 goals and two assists. She earned Patriot League All-Tournament Team honors after scoring in both the semifinal win over Colgate and championship game against Boston University. She was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year in 2025 and was a First Team All-Patriot League selection.
Pohlidal appeared in all 22 matches with 20 starts last season. She recorded four goals and nine points and ranked among Army's leaders in minutes played with 1,766. She contributed 21 shots from the midfield line and helped Army secure its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011.
West started all 22 matches in 2025 and led Army in minutes played with 1,887. She scored two goals and added an assist while anchoring the back line during the team's championship run. She earned All-Patriot League Third Team honors last season.
1. Army West Point, 77 (6 first-place votes)
2. Boston University, 76 (4 first-place votes)
3. Colgate, 62
4. Loyola Maryland, 51
5. Holy Cross, 43
6. Navy, 41
t-7. Bucknell, 35
t-7. Lafayette, 35
9. American, 16
10. Lehigh, 14
Preseason Forward of the Year – Bella Conti, Army West Point, Jr. F
Preseason Midfielder of the Year – Nadia Zaffanella, Lafayette, Sr., M
Preseason Defender of the Year - Helene Tyburczy, Boston University, Gr., D
Goalkeeper of the Year – Ella Poppinga, Colgate, Sr., GK
Bella Conti, Army West Point, Jr., F
Sophia Henry, Army West Point, So., F
Olivia Avellar, Boston University, Jr., F
Katie Connell, Bucknell, Jr., F
Josie Tunney, Colgate, Jr., F
Grace Pohlidal, Army West Point, Jr., M
Ciara Kennedy, Boston University, Sr., M
Nadia Zaffanella, Lafayette, Sr., M
Daisy West, Army West Point, Jr., D
Helene Tyburczy, Boston University, Gr., D
Karenna Beckstein, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Helen Bonner, Navy, So., D
Ella Poppinga, Colgate, Sr., GK
Follow the Black Knights
Follow Army Women's Soccer on X @ArmyWP_WSoccer and on Instagram @armywp_wsoccer. Fans can also like Army West Point Athletics on Facebook and learn more about women's soccer and other programs at goarmywestpoint.com.
