LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – For the 2025 season, both the Shepherd 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 Shepherd University Rams were voted No. 1 in the PSAC East Division Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll with seven first place votes. The Rams finished with an 18-2-4 overall record (13-1-2 in conference play) and claimed the 2024 PSAC Tournament title with a 3-2 win over Kutztown. The Rams will be led by the 2024 East Coach of the Year Sam Odell and return the Eastern Division Freshman of the Year Hannah Wilt and First Team All-Conference players Lydia Gable and Annabelle Wunderlich. Last season, Shepherd dominated the East with a total of 141 points (50 goals and 41 assists).
The West Chester Golden Rams were voted No. 2 in the Eastern Division after compiling an overall record of 10-7-1 (9-6-1 PSAC) in 2024. The Golden Rams finds its strength in senior Faith Matter who was the 2023 and 2024 Eastern Division Athlete of the Year. Matter led the East last season in assists (11) and points (29). West Chester will also look to senior Jacqueline Graham, a 2024 First Team All-Conference player, to assist in their 2025 campaign.
Kutztown, the No. 3 team in the East, compiled a 12-5-6 overall record (7-3-6 PSAC) in 2024. The Golden Bears return the bulk of their team including forward Caroline McDonald, who received a 2024 First Team All-Conference Selection and Kate Economopoulos, 2024 Second Team All-Conference.
No. 4 Bloomsburg, No. 5 East Stroudsburg, No. 6 Millersville, No. 7 Shippensburg, No. 8 Lock Haven, and No. 9 Mansfield complete the rest of the 2025 poll.
Western Division
For the third straight year, the Gannon University Golden Knights were voted No. 1 in the PSAC West Division Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll with seven first place votes. In 2024, the Knights finished 16-2-4 overall (10-0-4 PSAC) and return plenty of talent to the pitch, including reigning PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year Destinee Robertson and PSAC West Freshman of the Year Jessie Watkins. Other returners include First Team All-Conference selections Hannah Shepard, Brooklyn Respecki, Grace Emanuel, and goalie Morgan Sinan.
Voted No. 2 in the poll, Slippery Rock looks to build on their 2024 season and return 2024 First Team All-Conference Libby Zacharyasz. The senior finished last season with three goals. IUP comes in at No. 3 after a 11-win season in 2024 and returns plenty of firepower – including Emily Mannion (four goals) and Emma Hays. Mannion and Hays were both honored as First Team All-Conference Selections for the Crimson Hawks.
No. 4 Seton Hill, No. 5 Pitt-Johnstown, No. 6 California, No. 7 Edinboro, and No. 8 Clarion round out the rest of the poll.
The 2025 PSAC women’s soccer season kicks off in full on Thursday, Sept. 4.
2025 PSAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Polls (# of first place votes)
Eastern Division
1. Shepherd (7)
2. West Chester (1)
3. Kutztown (1)
4. Bloomsburg
5. East Stroudsburg
6. Millersville
7. Shippensburg
8. Lock Haven
9. Mansfield
Western Division
1. Gannon (7)
2. Slippery Rock (1)
3. IUP
4. Seton Hill
5. Pitt-Johnstown
6. California
7. Edinboro
8. Clarion