LOCK HAVEN, Pennsylvania – The IUP women’s soccer team finished fourth in the Western Division of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) 2024 Preseason Coaches’ Poll released by the league on Tuesday.

The preseason polls are conducted by the conference’s head coaches. Gannon received six of the eight possible first-place finishes in the PSAC West, followed by Seton Hill and Slippery Rock. Both programs finished second and third, respectively, and each received a first-place finish.

Edinboro follows IUP in fifth place, while California (Pa.), Clarion and Pitt-Johnstown close out the Western Division. In the PSAC East, defending conference champion West Chester secured five of nine possible first-place finishes. Kutztown followed in second place with three first-place finishes.

2024 season at a glance

Head Coach Noreen Herlihy and assistant coach Nicole Kruger have worked to restructure IUP’s roster heading into their third year with the program in 2024. IUP returns its top three point scorers from last season, led by returning All-PSAC honorees Hannah Scardina (66 career points) and Julia Csernyik.

Elle Smitha talented freshman player, returns after scoring five goals and 12 points in just 10 games. With a talented group of younger students, IUP looks to take the next step toward the 2024 conference tournament.

Second-year midfielder Emma Hays expects to be another anchor for the team, earning All-PSAC West Second Team honors in 16 games in 2023. IUP returns eight players in 2024 who started 10 or more games last season and also welcomes an influx of new recruits and key transfers.

Schedule 2024

In its 30th anniversary season, IUP has seven regular season home games on its schedule. The Crimson Hawks begin the regular season at home on September 11 against Clarion in the opener of conference play.

IUP opens the 2024 regular season with a neutral-site game against Frostburg State in Maryland on Sept. 7.

Follow

For the latest information, visit IUPathletics.com. Follow the IUP women’s soccer team on Twitter @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.

2024 PSAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

(Number of votes for first place)

EAST
1. West Chester (5)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Bloomsburg
5. Shepherd (1)
6. Millersville
7. Lock Harbour
8. Shippensburg
9. Mansfield

WEST
1. Gannon (6)
2. Seton Hill (1)
3. The slippery rock (1)
4. IUD
5. Edinboro
6. California
7. Clarion
8. Pitt-Johnstown