LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – On Tuesday afternoon, the East Stroudsburg University women's soccer program was selected to finish fourth among eight teams in the PSAC East Division Preseason Coaches Poll, the conference office announced.
The Warriors posted a 9-7-3 record a season ago, earning a spot in the PSAC Tournament, before bowing out to eventual national runner-up West Chester.

The Golden Rams were the unanimous favorite, earning all eight possible first-place votes. Bloomsburg took second with one first-place vote, while Kutztown earned third place in the poll. Following ESU in the East Division were Millersville (5th), Shepherd(6th), Shippensburg (7th), Lock Haven (8th) and Mansfield (9th).
Out in the PSAC West, Gannon was the unanimous favorite, with Slippery Rock earning the other first-place vote to be predicted as the runner-up. Following The Rock were Mercyhurst (3rd), IUP (4th), Seton Hill (5th), California (6th) and Edinboro (7th).

ESU returns College Sports Communicator Academic All-America, All-PSAC East and United Soccer All-Region honoree Rebecca Kotula, who posted a team-high and ranked fourth in the PSAC with nine goals and tied for fourth with 23 points. Fellow all-conference and all-region selection Brienn Seaman also returns, who was a key factor for ESU defensively. Starting in all 19 contests, Seaman helped patrol the defensive unit that allowed just 1.16 goals per game.

The Warriors are now under the direction of head coach Meagan DeWan, who takes over the help of the women's soccer program from 15-year head coach Rob Berkowitz. DeWan previously served as an assistant coach at ESU for 11 seasons, helping guide the Warriors to a 113-35-14 record the past eight seasons, which includes six NCAA DII Tournaments and four consecutive PSAC Championships in 2014-17. Berkowitz remains on the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant.

ESU opens the 2023 season with a pair of road non-conference games against Dominican (N.Y.) on Aug. 31 and Holy Family on Sept 2. The Warriors opens its home and PSAC East slate against Bloomsburg on Wed., Sept. 6 at 7:00 p.m.

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PSAC Women's Soccer Polls

PSAC East Division

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

PSAC West Division

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