PSAC announces Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll; Bald Eagles picked third in West

LOCK HAVEN – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) announced the 2024 Preseason Coaches’ Polls today (Aug. 14) and the Lock Haven men’s soccer team was picked to finish third in the Western Division.

The Bald Eagles received one first-place vote and will move to the PSAC West for 2024 after a 4-6-2 run in PSAC East play last season.

Gannon received five of six first-place votes and was tabbed as favorite in the west by the coaches. Seton Hill was picked No. 2, just ahead of Lock Haven. Rounding out the PSAC Western Division was No. 4 Slippery Rock, No. 5 California (Pa.) and No. 6 Pitt-Johnstown.

Millersville grabbed five of six first-place votes and was picked as the preseason favorite in the PSAC East. West Chester and Bloomsburg were picked No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, while No. 4 East Stroudsburg, No. 5 Shepherd and No. 6 Shippensburg rounded out the rankings.

Overall, Lock Haven was 7-8-3 last season, which included the Bald Eagles’ 4-6-2 PSAC Eastern Division mark. For The Haven, five of seven wins on the season came on the road and the Bald Eagles finished last year strong, winning three of the last five matches.

The Haven will open the 2024 season with a five-game homestand.

Last season, Lock Haven was 2-4-2 at home, and back in 2022, the Bald Eagles posted four wins and two draws at home.

The Bald Eagles will officially open the season at home on Thursday, Sept. 5 vs. Chestnut Hill in non-conference action. It’s the first of five straight games at home. In all, Lock Haven will play at home on the Hubert Jack Stadium turf 10 times.

The Bald Eagles will mark their return to PSAC West play on September 15 when they host California (Pa.). The Haven last called the Western Division home in 2009.

Lock Haven’s first road test of the 2024 campaign will come on September 25 at longtime rival East Stroudsburg. The full 2024 Lock Haven men’s soccer schedule is available at GoLHU.com.

For Lock Haven head coach Patrick Long ’08, the roster is loaded with returning talent in all areas and the Bald Eagles should certainly benefit from a very special recruiting class, which was recently announced.

As far as returners go, leading the way is two-time First Team All-PSAC selection Connor Swope. He started 17 games last season, finishing with three goals and two assists (8 PTS.) Back in 2022, Swope scored five goals and finished with 14 points (5G, 4A). He scored three goals in 2021 as a rookie.

Duc Do is another experienced veteran that provides leadership all over the pitch. Do led the way in all 18 contests last fall. Austin Kravetz netted a pair of goals and featured in 17 games last season.

Goalkeeper Brady Freiwald started all 18 games last season, finishing with 62 saves, a .721 save-percentage and 1.34 goals-against-average. His 62 saves were second-most in the PSAC and his goals-against-average was ranked sixth in the league. Freiwald helped The Haven register five shutouts a year ago.

1. Gannon (5)

2. Seton Hill

4. Slippery Rock

5. California

6. Pitt-Johnstown

1. Millersville (5)

2. West Chester (1)

3. Bloomsburg

4. East Stroudsburg

5. Shepherd

6. Shippensburg

*(First-Place Votes)