LHU men’s soccer picked third in PSAC preseason coaches’ poll
LOCK HAVEN, PA – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) has released the 2022 preseason coaches’ poll and the Lock Haven University men’s soccer team was picked to finish third in the Eastern Division.
In the Eastern Division, 2022 PSAC Champions Millersville garnered five of the seven first-place votes and took home the top spot. West Chester nabbed the remaining two first-place votes and landed in the second spot. The Bald Eagles claimed third place after being crowned 2021 PSAC East regular season champions. East Stroudsburg and Bloomsburg rounded out the top-five, followed by Shippensburg and Shepherd in sixth and seventh, respectively.
Gannon and Mercyhurst each claimed three first-place votes and were tabbed as co-favorites in the Western Division. Seton Hill rounded out the top-three, followed by Slippery Rock, California (Pa.), and Pitt-Johnstown.
LHU opens the season on the road on Thursday, Aug. 25 when the Bald Eagles face off against Notre Dame (Ohio). The Haven’s home opener comes just a few days later when they host California (Pa.) on Sunday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. On September 10, LHU opens the PSAC Eastern Division schedule on the road against West Chester.
In 2021, head coach Patrick Long (’08) was named the PSAC East Coach of the Year and the Bald Eagles went on a historic run and collected its most wins since 2007, and The Haven made a return trip to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.
All-Conference:
LHU returns four players who earned All-PSAC honors in 2021. Samuel Hershey, who was also named First-Team All-Region, returns after grabbing first-team honors. Apart of the second team in 2021, midfielder Colton Swanson, defender Dean Lewis and goalkeeper Aitor Ruiz de Eguilaz all return for 2022.
Firepower Returning:
2021 PSAC Rookie of the Year Hershey returns for his sophomore campaign in 2022. In 2021, Hershey racked up a team-best 35 points on 13 goals and nine assists. In the PSAC, his goal mark and point total were second-best and his assists landed him fourth in the conference. Zane Puhala bagged 13 total points after notching five goals, three of which were game-winners, and three assists in 2021.
Backline Intact:
Starting in goal, the Bald Eagles return second-team All-PSAC goalkeeper Ruiz de Eguilaz who started 17 games and notched 61 saves and a .718 save percentage in 2021. Connor Burke started 18 games on the backline and found the back of the net once. Also returning to bolster the defense is Dean Lewis who started 15 games. As a unit, the Bald Eagles allowed just 26 goals, which was sixth-best in conference.
Midfield:
In the middle of the pitch, all-conference midfielder Colton Swanson returns after starting 18 games in 2021 and notching eight points on two goals and four assists. Connor Swope also bagged eight points in 2021 on three goals and two assists. Duc Do and Justin Douglas both return after having started double digit games in 2021 across a variety of positions for The Haven.
Full PSAC Poll
EAST (# of 1st Place Votes)
1. Millersville (5)
2. West Chester (2)
3. Lock Haven
4. East Stroudsburg
5. Bloomsburg
6. Shippensburg
7. Shepherd
WEST
T1. Gannon (3)
T1. Mercyhurst (3)
3. Seton Hill
4. Slippery Rock
5. California (Pa.)
6. Pitt-Johnstown
