LOCK HAVEN – The East Stroudsburg University women's soccer team was selected to finish fifth in the annual PSAC East Preseason Coaches' Poll, the conference announced on Tuesday afternoon.
Kutztown (5 first-place votes), who posted a 17-1-2 record in 2021, was selected to tie with West Chester (four first-place votes) at the top of the East Division. Following the Golden Bears and Golden Rams was defending PSAC champion Bloomsburg at three. Millersville was selected fourth, while Shippensburg (6th), Shepherd (7th), Lock Haven (8th) and Mansfield (9th) round out the poll.
Out west, Mercyhurst (1st, 4 first-place votes), Gannon (2nd, three first place votes) and Slippery Rock (3rd, two first-place votes) all received multiple first-place votes as the top-three teams in the poll. Edinboro (4th), Seton Hill (5th), Pitt-Johnstown (6th), IUP (7th), Clarion (8th) and California Pa. (9th) complete the poll.
The Warriors posted a 10-7-1 overall record in 2021, while compiling a record of 8-7-1 against conference foes.
ESU returns nine players that started at least 10 of the 18 games a season ago. in Rebecca Kotula (4 goals, 1 assist), Mirthe Bos (3 goals), Caitlin Norwood (17 starts), Brienn Seaman (17 starts), Natalie Schooley (3 goals, 3 assists), Mikayla Moats (14 starts), Ella Connolly (11 starts), Teagan Marshall (2 goals) and Millie Smith (1 goal, 2 assists).
Bos received All-PSAC East Second Team honors during her first season with the Warriors in 2022. Along with contributing three goals as a defender, Bos helped with ESU's strong finish to the season defensively, as the Warriors outscored the opposition 11-1 over its final six games.
Head Coach Rob Berkowitz enters his 15th season coaching the Warrior women, holding a record of 173-88-27 along with four PSAC Titles and has guided the Warriors to seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Warriors look to earn a berth into the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time over the past seven seasons. ESU begins the campaign on August 25 against Dominican at Eiler-Martin Stadium.
PSAC Women's Soccer Preseason Polls
EAST (# of 1st place votes)
T1. Kutztown (5)
T1. West Chester (4)
3. Bloomsburg
4. Millersville
5. East Stroudsburg
6. Shippensburg
7. Shepherd
8. Lock Haven
9. Mansfield
WEST
1. Mercyhurst (4)
2. Gannon (3)
3. Slippery Rock (2)
4. Edinboro
5. Seton Hill
6. Pitt-Johnstown
7. IUP
8. Clarion
9. California (Pa.)
