West Chester Voted No. 1 in PSAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
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2015 Women's Soccer Preseason Notes
Lock Haven, Pa. – West Chester women’s soccer was picked to finish atop the PSAC standings, according to the conference’s preseason poll conducted by the league’s head coaches.
The Golden Rams enter the 2015 season after reaching the NCAA Division II Women’s Soccer Quarterfinals a year ago. West Chester has advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinal round three times in the last five years and is ranked eighth in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Preseason Poll. The Golden Rams finished 2014 with an 18-3-1 overall record. They have reached the NCAA Division II Tournament all eight years under current head coach Betty Ann Kempf Townsley. Junior Kara Parvel will lead West Chester’s offensive charge, as she finished her sophomore campaign with eight goals, including five game-winners.
East Stroudsburg, the defending PSAC champions, is ranked second. The Warriors come into 2015 ranked 11th in the country after setting a league and program record last season with 20-straight victories. ESU finished the season with a 20-1 slate. Shea Neal, reigning PSAC Championship game MVP, returns this season as one of 16 Warriors that scored at least one goal last season.
Kutztown ranks third in the poll after earning a PSAC Championship berth in 2014 for the seventh straight year. The Golden Bears return All-PSAC First Team midfielder Diana Malagna, who averaged .421 goals per game. They are the third PSAC to be nationally ranked, earning the 25th position in NSCAA Poll.
California is tied for fourth place with Gannon. It's the first time the Vulcans have been picked lower than third in the preseason poll since 2009. Janelle McCann, who led the PSAC in goals last season with 14, returns to lead the Vulcans.
Gannon is tied for fourth, after finishing seventh in league play a year ago. Golden Knight Mani Brueckner is the top-returning point scorer in the PSAC. Brueckner netted eight goals and 11 assists last season, good for 27 points.
Slippery Rock holds the No. 6 spot, while Edinboro claimed the No. 7 position and Shippensburg is ranked eighth. IUP is ninth, while Seton Hill is ranked 10th. Bloomsburg finished 11th, while Millersville is ranked 12th. Rounding out the poll is No. 13 Mercyhurst, No. 14. Clarion, No. 15 Lock Haven, No. 16 Mansfield, and No. 17 Pitt-Johnstown.
The entire poll is listed below.
1. West Chester
2. East Stroudsburg
3. Kutztown
T-4. California
T-4. Gannon
6. Slippery Rock
7. Edinboro
8. Shippensburg
9. IUP
10. Seton Hill
11. Bloomsburg
12. Millersville
13. Mercyhurst
14. Clarion
15. Lock Haven
16. Mansfield
17. Pitt-Johnstown