LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – For the second consecutive season, both the West Chester University and Gannon University women’s soccer teams were selected as preseason favorites in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Polls, as voted on by the league’s coaches.
 
Eastern Division
 
The West Chester University Golden Rams were voted No. 1 in the PSAC East Division Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll, which marks the team’s third straight year at the top of the Eastern Division poll. WCU finished with an 16-3-4 overall record (11-3-2 in conference play) and claimed the 2023 PSAC Tournament title with a 2-1 win over Gannon. The Rams led the East in goals scored with 39 and return two players that have won the past two East Athlete of the Year awards: senior Kaitlynn Haughey (2022) and junior Faith Matter (2023). Matter led the Eastern Division in points with 35 (12 goals, 11 assists) last fall while Haughey chipped in with five goal and three assists, including a goal in the PSAC Tournament Championship Game.

The Kutztown Golden Bears were voted No. 2 in the Eastern Division after compiling an overall record of 15-2-5 (12-0-4 PSAC) in 2023. The team’s defense was its strength, allowing a conference-low 12 goals last fall. KU should return a pair of Eastern Division major award winners in Defensive Athlete of the Year Bridget Curtis and Freshman of the Year Kate Economopoulos, who scored eight goals and assisted on five others in her debut campaign.
 
East Stroudsburg, the No. 3 team in the East, compiled a 10-5-4 overall record (8-4-4 PSAC) in 2023. Midfielder Natalie Schooley led the Warriors with nine goals and three assists last fall and returns along with four other Eastern Division Second Team All-Conference selections in defender Caitlin Norwood, and forwards Nia Chinapoo and Millie Smith.
 
No. 4 Bloomsburg, No. 5 Shepherd, No. 6 Millersville, No. 7 Lock Haven, No. 8 Shippensburg, and No. 9 Mansfield complete the rest of the 2024 poll.
 
Western Division
 
The Gannon University Golden Knights were voted No. 1 in the PSAC West Division Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll. In 2023, the Knights finished 17-5-3 overall (13-2-1 PSAC) and return plenty of talent to the pitch, including reigning PSAC West Freshman of the Year Brooklyn Respecki, who led the PSAC in shots (127), assists (16), points (42), and was second in goals with 13. Other returners include First Team All-Conference selections Hannah Shepard, Grace Emanuel, and Ella Fadale – while Second Teamers Gabby Boden and goalkeeper Morgan Sinan are back to lend a veteran presence as well.

Voted No. 2 in the poll, Seton Hill looks to build on a 2023 season and should return top scorers Jessica Molitoris (five goals, three assists) and Kilee Coatney (four goals, two assists). Slippery Rock comes in at No. 3 after a 12-win season in 2023 and also returns plenty of firepower – including Sydney Patrick (six goals, 11 assists), Morgan Sarver (six goals, nine assists), and Maddie DeLucio (five goals, two assists). Patrick and Sarver were both honored as Second Team All-Conference selections for The Rock, as were returning defenders Nina King and Faith Diffenbacher.

 No. 4 IUP, No. 5 Edinboro, No. 6 California, No. 7 Clarion, and No. 8 Pitt-Johnstown round out the rest of the poll.
 
The 2024 PSAC women’s soccer season kicks off in full on Thursday, Sept. 5.
 
2024 PSAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Polls (# of first place votes)
 
Eastern Division


1. West Chester (5)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Bloomsburg
5. Shepherd (1)
6. Millersville
7. Lock Haven
8. Shippensburg
9. Mansfield
 
Western Division
 

1. Gannon (6)
2. Seton Hill (1)
3. Slippery Rock (1)
4. IUP
5. Edinboro
6. California
7. Clarion
8. Pitt-Johnstown