The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference has released its 2026 women's soccer preseason polls, naming West Chester University as the top pick in the Eastern Division and Slippery Rock University as the favorite in the Western Division. Both programs entered the poll with strong first‑place vote counts, reflecting the momentum they built after deep postseason runs last year.
Key Returners
West Chester, the Eastern Division leader, finished the 2025 campaign with a 16‑3‑4 record and a trip to the NCAA Division II championship round, a feat that helped it secure seven of the ten first‑place votes. The team will return senior forward Kianna Barber, the 2025 PSAC East Athlete of the Year who tallied 13 goals and five assists, and defender Katie Dougherty, the East Freshman of the Year.
Division Dynamics
In the Western Division, Slippery Rock earned five first‑place votes after posting a 12‑4‑1 record and reaching the conference championship game. The Rock will count on the experience of All‑Conference Second Team defender Kailyn Schulte, midfielder Sophia Palermo, who contributed two goals and eight assists, and goalkeeper Leah Allman, who posted six shutouts.
Offensive Threats
Other programs also showed promise. Kutztown University topped the West in scoring with 61 goals last season and will bring back attackers Corinne Morgan and Maura Day, who combined for 23 points. Bloomsburg University will rely on forward Anika Krasnai and top scorers Daryn Savage and Olivia Thompson, while Gannon University returns offensive standouts Brooklyn Respecki and Grace Emanuel, each surpassing ten points in 2025.
Defensive Foundations
Defensive stability will be a hallmark for several squads. IUP University allowed only 11 goals in 2025 and will field the PSAC Western Division Defensive Player of the Year Emma Hays. Shepherd University, the two‑time defending PSAC champion, sits fourth in the Eastern poll and returns leading scorers Merritt Delk and Reagan Ackermann, who contributed nine and eight points respectively.
Season Outlook
The poll also highlighted a broad field of contenders across both divisions, including Millersville, East Stroudsburg, Shippensburg, Mansfield in the East and Edinboro, Seton Hill, Lock Haven in the West. The full slate of teams sets the stage for a competitive season that officially begins on August 27, 2026.