BILLINGS, Mont.- After impressive runs to the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) Tournament semifinals last season, both the Battlin' Bear Men's and Women's Soccer programs have been picked to finish fourth in the 2026 CCC Preseason Coaches Polls. 

Battlin' Bear Men Picked Fourth, Earn First-Place Vote

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The Battlin' Bear men are coming off one of their most successful campaigns in recent memory. Under first-year Head Coach Milo Downey, the 2025 squad compiled an 8-3-7 overall record (6-1-5 CCC) and secured an At-Large Bid to the NAIA National Championships. Heading into 2026, the program is projected to finish fourth, notably snagging one first-place vote.

Last year's trip to the national tournament was the seventh in program history and the first since 2020. The Battlin' Bears finished third in the CCC regular-season standings before bowing out in the tournament semifinals to eventual champion Warner Pacific.

Returning to the pitch are six starting field players, two experienced starting goalkeepers, and eight players who saw action from the 2025 roster. Following a pair of home scrimmages this week, Rocky opens its non-conference slate with three tough matchups in Iowa. The challenging road trip begins against the defending National Champions, Grand View University, on Friday, August 21.

Below is the full 2026 CCC Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll. 

1. Eastern Oregon University — 149 (3)
2. Carroll College — 148 (4)
3. Warner Pacific University — 147 (5)
4. Rocky Mountain College — 133 (1)
5. College of Idaho — 116
6. Southern Oregon University — 114
7. Oregon Institute of Technology — 94
8. Bushnell University — 83
9. Corban University — 61
10. Northwest University — 43
11. The Evergreen State College — 40
12. Walla Walla University — 28
13. University of Providence — 27

Rocky Women Slotted Fourth Under Interim Head Coach Kevin Luse

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Entering his 17th season with the program, Kevin Luse takes the helm as Interim Head Coach for a 2026 squad projected to finish fourth in the CCC. The Rocky women are coming off a stellar 2025 campaign, boasting a 12-4-1 overall record (9-2-1 CCC). The Battlin' Bears were true road warriors last fall, going undefeated away from home during conference play. As the fourth seed in the 2025 CCC Tournament, Rocky defeated Bushnell in the opening round before falling to eventual champion College of Idaho in the semifinals. 

Despite finishing inside the top 40 of the RPI last season and putting together a seven-game win streak heading into the CCC Semifinal round, the Battlin' Bears narrowly missed an At-Large Bid to the NAIA National Championships, something the 2026 unit will look to achieve for the first time since 2019. 

The roster returns six starters, highlighted by All-CCC Second Team honorees Charlize Davis (FWD / Sr.) and Matea Vernon (GK / So.). Following a home scrimmage this Wednesday, the Battlin' Bears will play in a Rimrock Rivalry exhibition against MSU Billings on Saturday, August 22. They officially open their regular season on the road against Hastings College in Nebraska on Saturday, August 29.

Below is the full 2026 CCC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll. 

1. College of Idaho — 164 (9)
2. Eastern Oregon University — 150 (1)
3. Southern Oregon University — 140 (1)
4. Rocky Mountain College — 118
5. Carroll College — 112 (1)
6. Oregon Institute of Technology — 105
7. Northwest University — 101 (1)
8. Bushnell University — 76
9. Warner Pacific University — 60
10. University of Providence — 56
11. Corban University — 53
12. The Evergreen State College — 34
13. Walla Walla University — 14

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