No. 8 West Chester Tops PSAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The West Chester Golden Rams topped the 2018 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll, as voted on by the league’s head coaches, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
WCU accumulated seven first-place votes and landed at No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. The Golden Rams advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA DII Championship in 2017 before falling in PK’s to Mercy College. WCU returns a trio of all-conference representatives, including Defensive Athlete of the Year, Julia Kirkpatrick. The Golden Rams returns their top three goal scorers from last season.
East Stroudsburg swiped six first-place votes and landed second in the PSAC poll while being slated at No. 14 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll. The Warriors have claimed four consecutive PSAC Championships and six overall, both the most in conference history. Coach Rob Berkowitz returns a trio of all-region selections, including senior Alex Pickett, who has amassed 23 career goals and 11 assists. The Warriors advanced to the third round of the NCAA’s last season before falling to WCU.
Kutztown grabbed the four remaining first-place votes and are slated No. 3. The Golden Bears return nine starters from a squad that won 16 matches last year, and held a No. 1 ranking in DII for a week in October 2017. The Golden Bears advanced to the NCAA’s before falling in the first round. KU returns PSAC Athlete of the Year, Emily Zwiercan, and USC First-Team All-American Maddie Mohr. KU’s defense allowed just 14 goals in 2017 while the offense produced 57. Coach Erik Burstein was tabbed Coach of the Year for the first time in his career.
Gannon claimed the No. 4 slot after appearing in the NCAA’s for the second time in three seasons. The Lady Knights have recorded at least 13 victories three times in the last five years. GU has qualified for the PSAC Tournament in seven consecutive seasons and has reached the semis in three straight. GU returns 27 letterwinners. Junior Taylor Lewis was one of five athletes to record double-digit goals in 2017 with 14.
Slippery Rock was picked fifth and returns a dozen athletes that played in at least 10 matches last season. The Rock currently rides a streak of 22 consecutive winning seasons, which is the seventh longest streak in NCAA DII history. SRU returns a trio of all-conference representatives.
IUP landed sixth and return second-team all-region defender Hannah Stoof. Stoof spearheaded a Crimson Hawk defense that posted eight shutouts and gave up 0.78 goals per match.
Seton Hill snagged seventh after winning a school-record 12 matches in 2017. The Griffins produced a flawless 10-0-0 home record and qualified for the PSAC Tournament for the first time in school history. SHU returns eight starters, including Emily LoPresti. LoPresti is a three-time all-conference member.
Bloomsburg, Edinboro and Mercyhurst rounded out the top 10, respectively.
Shippensburg, Clarion, Millersville, Lock Haven and California ranked 11th-15th while Pitt-Johnstown and Mansfield rounded out the poll.
All 17 teams will open their respective seasons on Thursday, August 30.
PSAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
(# of first place votes)
1) West Chester (7)
2) East Stroudsburg (6)
3) Kutztown (4)
4) Gannon
5) Slippery Rock
6) IUP
7) Seton Hill
8) Bloomsburg
9) Edinboro
10) Mercyhurst
11) Shippensburg
12) Clarion
13) Millersville
14) Lock Haven
15) California
16) Pitt-Johnstown
17) Mansfield