PSAC announces Preseason Women’s Soccer Poll; Bald Eagles to open season Sept. 5
LOCK HAVEN– For the Lock Haven women’s soccer team, the start of the 2024 season and a new era is on the horizon. The Bald Eagles will open the 2024 campaign at home versus California (Pa.) on September 5.
The upcoming season ushers in a new era as newly appointed head coach Jesse Urquhart takes the reins of the program.
In preparation of the 2024 season, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, and Lock Haven was picked seventh in the Eastern Division. West Chester received five-of-nine first-place votes and was tabbed by the coaches as the favorite to win the division. Kutztown picked up three first-place votes and was slotted No. 2, while East Stroudsburg was picked No. 3. Rounding out the Eastern Division standings was No. 4 Bloomsburg, No. 5 Shepherd, No. 6 Millersville, No. 7 Lock Haven, No. 8 Shippensburg and No. 9 Mansfield.
In the Western Division, Gannon received six first-place votes and was picked as the favorite. Seton Hill and Slippery Rock were picked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively. Rounding out the preseason picks out west was No. 4 IUP, No. 5 Edinboro, No. 6 California, No. 7 Clarion and No. 8 Pitt-Johnstown.
Urquhart was named Lock Haven’s new head coach in May, but he’s no stranger to the PSAC. He spent the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Seton Hill, working with both the men’s and women’s programs. Under his guidance, both Seton Hill teams made consecutive PSAC tournament appearances. Urquhart was the head women’s soccer coach at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana from 2016-22.
A number of talented and experienced Bald Eagles return to help guide the team onto the pitch in 2024. Leading the way is goalkeeper Megan Miller and forward Evelyn Ciaccia.
Miller started all 18 games last season and logged every minute for Lock Haven in net. She finished with 100 saves, which were tied for the second most in the PSAC and she ranked No. 3 in the league in saves-per-game.
Ciaccia, a two-time All-Conference pick, scored a team-best 10 goals last season. The 10 goals were tied for the fifth most in the PSAC. She also added two assists.
The Bald Eagles will officially open the 2024 season at home on Thursday, Sept. 5 vs. California (Pa.) in PSAC East-West crossover action. It’s the first of two games vs. PSAC West opponents as Lock Haven takes on Seton Hill on the road on Sept. 8. The Bald Eagles topped Seton Hill, 2-1, last year.
The season-opener on Sept. 5 is one of nine home games scheduled for Hubert Jack Stadium. Lock Haven will open PSAC East play at home vs. Mansfield on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The full 2024 Lock Haven women’s soccer schedule is available at GoLHU.com.
2024 PSAC Preseason Women’s Soccer Coaches’ Polls:
Eastern Division –
1. West Chester (5)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Bloomsburg
5. Shepherd (1)
6. Millersville
7. Lock Haven
8. Shippensburg
9. Mansfield
Western Division –
1. Gannon (6)
2. Seton Hill (1)
3. Slippery Rock (1)
4. IUP
5. Edinboro
6. California
7. Clarion
8. Pitt-Johnstown
*(First-Place Votes)
