The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) has released its 2026 women's soccer preseason polls, projecting Lock Haven University to finish sixth in the Western Division.
The Bald Eagles will begin the new campaign on Thursday, August 27, when they travel to face Millersville at 4 p.m., marking the first test of a schedule that blends home and away challenges.
Slippery Rock University tops the poll with five first‑place votes, followed closely by Gannon University in second place, which earned four top votes, while Indiana University‑Pennsylvania (IUP) rounds out the top three after capturing three first‑place ballots.
The poll also lists Edinboro University at fourth, with Seton Hill, Clarion, Pitt‑Johnstown and California (Pa.) completing the top nine, reflecting a deep field of competition across the division.
Lock Haven’s 2025 campaign ended with a 4‑10‑2 overall record and a 2‑10‑2 mark in conference play, placing eighth, a season that saw midfielder Emily Reeve and forward Leana Cuzzocrea earn Second Team All‑PSAC honors.
A Look at the 2026 Schedule
The 2026 slate features 19 regular‑season matches, including ten at Hubert Jack Stadium, and opens with a road trip to Millersville before a visit to Slippery Rock on August 30.
Home openers are slated for September 2 against Charleston, and the season will close with Senior Day on September 5 at California (Pa.). The schedule also includes a road match at Seton Hill later in the month.
Head coach Jesse Urquhart, who guided the team through the previous season, will continue to shape the program alongside a refreshed coaching staff, while ten new student‑athletes from Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and Oregon have joined the roster.
With a blend of returning talent, fresh additions and a challenging conference landscape, the Bald Eagles hope to improve on last year’s record and contend for a higher finish in the PSAC Western Division.