WSOC: PSAC announces 2022 preseason coaches’ poll

LOCK HAVEN, PA – Today (August 16), the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released the 2022 preseason coaches’ poll and the Lock Haven University women’s soccer team was picked to finish eighth in the Eastern Division.  

In the Eastern Division, Kutztown took five of the nine first-place votes and tied with West Chester, who notched four first-place votes, for the top spot. Reigning champions Bloomsburg rounded out the top three, followed by Millersville and East Stroudsburg in fourth and fifth, respectively. Just ahead of Lock Haven, Shippensburg was picked sixth and Shepherd seventh followed by the Bald Eagles in eighth. Mansfield finished out the Eastern Division in ninth-place.  

Mercyhurst claimed the top spot in the Western Division, with four first-place votes, and Gannon was tabbed to finish second and picked up three first-place votes. Rounding out the top three and earning the final two first-place votes was Slippery Rock. 

LHU opens the season on Thursday, August 25 at 5 p.m. with a home matchup versus California (Pa.) in a PSAC East-West crossover matchup. The Bald Eagles kick off their Eastern Division schedule on the road against Millersville on August 31. 

Returning Scorers: 

In redshirt-senior Josie Swartz, The Haven returns its leader in points from the 2022 season. The midfielder notched 12 points on four goals and four assists. Also adding to the offensive threat returning is the junior duo of Eva Stoessel and Evelyn Ciaccia, who both notched seven points on three goals and one assist in 2021. 

Defensive Returners: 

In goal, Kylie Auman returns after totaling 98 saves during her freshman campaign. Her mark in the 2021 season placed her fifth all-time in LHU single-season saves record. 

On the back line, junior Leah Jensen started all 18 games for The Haven and notched one assist while holding down the defense for the Bald Eagles. Abby Burdyn started 16 of 18 for LHU and grabbed a goal, while defenders Sydney Cauffman and Avery Landrum each started double-digit games with 12 and 11, respectively. 

New Era: 

The Bald Eagles welcome back Dr. Peter Campbell as the interim coach for the 2022 season. Campbell is the winningest coach in the history of the LHU women’s soccer program with 42 wins over three seasons (1999-2000 & 2004) and he coached the program to two of its three Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships in school history in 1999 and 2000. 

In his three seasons, Campbell took the Bald Eagles all the way to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals in 1999 and the Northeast Regional finals in 2000. His overall record stands at 42-13-6 and he sports a 25-3-2 conference record. 

Full PSAC Poll 

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.)