FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University softball team was selected second in the 2026 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll as the organization announced its annual preseason honors.

In addition to the poll, the MAAC coaches also picked the All-MAAC Preseason Team which included pitcher Alyssa Weinberg. Weinberg enjoyed her best season as a Stag in 2025, winning 18 games and striking out 190 hitters in 180 innings pitched. Her strikeout total raised her career tally to 318 strikeouts which places her in Fairfield's top five. She was a member of the 2025 All-MAAC Team, earning a berth to the first team.

The Stags earned 144 points in the coaches' poll including one first-place vote, one point ahead of third-place Siena University which also garnered a first-place selection. Marist University garnered the top spot in the preseason poll, registering 167 total points and receiving 11 first-place votes.

Iona University earned the fourth slot in the preseason poll, recording 117 points. Sacred Heart University and Rider University rounded out the top six spots in the poll, posting 109 and 103 points, respectively.

The rest of the poll included Quinnipiac University (98 points), Canisius University (91 points), Merrimack College (55 points), Manhattan University (54 points), Mount St. Mary's University (50 points), Niagara University (29 points), and Saint Peter's University (23 points).

The Fairfield University softball team, under Head Coach Julie Brzezinski, will open the 2026 season at the University of Houston, playing a pair of games against both Houston Christian University and the host school on February 6-7. The Stags play their first 14 scheduled games on the road before opening the home slate with a three-game series against MAAC foe Marist on March 7-8.