LOCK HAVEN, Pa. -- The East Stroudsburg University women's soccer team has been selected to finish third in the East division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) preseason poll, the conference office announced on Friday afternoon.
Bloomsburg, who advanced to the NCAA Semifinals in 2019, earned six of nine first-place votes. West Chester earned the remaining three first-place votes, to earn runner-up in the coaches' poll.
After ESU, Millersville (4th), Kutztown (5th), Shippensburg (6th) and Lock Haven (7th) are predicted to finish fourth through seventh. Mansfield (8th) and Shepherd (9th) wrap up the East division.
In the West, defending PSAC champion Slippery Rock totaled six first place votes to be picked as the division winner. Mercyhurst (2 first place votes) and Gannon (1 first place vote) registered the rest of the first place votes, to earn second and third place in the poll, respectively. Edinboro, who fell in the PSAC championship is picked fourth in the West, while IUP (5th), Pitt-Johnstown (6th), Seton Hill (7th), Cal U (8th) and Clarion (9th) round out the poll.
The Warriors, who won four consecutive PSAC Championships from 2014 to 2017 and have been selected to six-straight NCAA Tournaments, posted a 14-7 record in 2019. In conference play, the Warriors earned 12 wins in 16 contests.
ESU returns United Soccer Coaches All-American Third Team, D2CCA All-Region Second Team and All-PSAC East First Team selection Haley Skove. Skove has registered 17 goals and 11 assists for 45 career points as a Warrior midfielder.
Another top returner is Melissa Herrera, who was named PSAC East Freshman of the Year and was an All-PSAC East Second Team honoree. Herrera tied for the team-lead with seven goals and distributed three assists during her first season as a Warrior in 2019.
Goalkeeper Mauri Jackson, who was a 3-time PSAC Defensive Athlete of the Week is also back, who started all 21 games in 2019. She allowed just .80 goals per game, while making 105 saves with nine shutouts. She enters her senior season ranked third on ESU career shutout list (19) and sixth in saves (183).
The season opener for the Warriors is scheduled for Thurs., Sept. 2 against Felician.
PSAC EAST PRESEASON POLL
- Bloomsburg (6)
- West Chester (3)
- East Stroudsburg
- Millersville
- Kutztown
- Shippensburg
- Lock Haven
- Mansfield
- Shepherd
PSAC WEST PRESEASON POLL
- Slippery Rock (6)
- Mercyhurst (2)
- Gannon (1)
- Edinboro
- IUP
- Pitt-Johnstown
- Seton Hill
- Cal U
- Clarion
