LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The West Chester University and Gannon University women’s soccer teams were selected as preseason favorites in the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Polls, as voted on by the league’s coaches.
 
East
 
The West Chester University Golden Rams were voted No. 1 in the PSAC East Division Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll after a historic 2022 campaign under PSAC Eastern Division Coach of the Year Betty Ann Kempf Townsley in which the team advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship game. West Chester finished with a 23-1-1 record (15-0-1 PSAC), claimed the PSAC Tournament and NCAA Atlantic Region titles, and led the PSAC in goals (60) and goals allowed (10.) The Golden Rams return many key contributors from a year ago, including PSAC Eastern Division Athlete of the Year Kaitlynn Haughey, Eastern Division Freshman of the Year Faith Matter, and All-PSAC selections Kiley Kergides and Jacqueline Hug from the First Team in addition to Jacqueline Graham and Jenna Fox from the Second Team.
 
The Bloomsburg Huskies were voted No. 2 in the Eastern Division after compiling an overall record of 14-5-2 (11-3-2 PSAC) in 2022. The team’s 32 goals scored and 13 conceded were second only to West Chester, and the Huskies return All-PSAC First Teamers Lorelei Hartzfeld in defense and Alivia Gallardo in the midfield. Veteran goalkeeper Riley Spingler (11 shutouts and a .621 goals against average) also returns after earning a Second Team All-PSAC honor in 2022.
 
Kutztown, the No. 3 team in the East, returns All-PSAC First Team selections Bridget Curtis in defense as well as forward Isabella Rossetti, who scored seven goals in 2022, the second-highest total on the team. Forward Caroline McDonald, an All-PSAC Second Team choice, is also back and tallied three goals and four assists a season ago.
 
East Stroudsburg, Millersville, Shepherd, Shippensburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield complete the rest of the 2023 poll.
 
West
 
The Gannon Golden Knights, the defending PSAC West champions, were voted No. 1 in the PSAC West Division Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll. In 2022, the Knights finished 15-4-4 overall (11-1-4 PSAC) under 2022 PSAC West Division Coach of the Year Colin Petersen. PSAC West Freshman of the Year Ella Fadale returns, as does 2022 All-PSAC First Team selection Leah Bermudez in defense and All-PSAC Second Teamer Gabby Boden in midfield.

Voted No. 2 in the poll, Slippery Rock looks to build on a 2022 season that saw the team accumulate a 6-3-7 record in conference play. All-PSAC defenders Nina King (First Team) and Brooke Riefenstahl (Second Team) will anchor that unit, while returning forward Ashley Rea scored four goals in 2022 and launched 67 shots, the fourth-highest total in the entire conference.
 
Mercyhurst, the No. 3 team in the poll, brings back multiple All-PSAC honorees—defender Taryn Baxter and forward Karah Van Horn (who scored a team-high 7 goals) from the First Team—in addition to forward Teagan Mehalko and goalie Maddie Elbro (who tallied 10 shutouts in 2022) from the Second Team.
 
IUP, Seton Hill, California, Edinboro, Pitt-Johnstown, and Clarion round out the rest of the poll.
 
The 2023 PSAC women’s soccer season kicks off in full on Thursday, August 31.
 
2023 PSAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Polls (# of first place votes)
 
Eastern Division
 
1. West Chester (8)
2. Bloomsburg (1)
3. Kutztown
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Millersville
6. Shepherd
7. Shippensburg
8. Lock Haven
9. Mansfield
 
Western Division
 
1. Gannon (8)
2. Slippery Rock (1)
3. Mercyhurst
4. IUP
5. Seton Hill
6. California
7. Edinboro
8. Pitt-Johnstown
9. Clarion