LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The IUP women's soccer team landed fourth in the Western division of the 2024 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, released by the league on Tuesday.
The preseason polls are voted on by the conference's head coaches. Gannon picked up six of the eight possible first-place votes in the PSAC West, followed by Seton Hill and Slippery Rock. Placing second and third, respectively, both programs picked up one first-place vote.
Edinboro follows IUP in fifth with California (Pa.), Clarion and Pitt-Johnstown closing out the Western Division. In the PSAC East, West Chester secured five of nine possible first-place votes as the defending conference champion. Kutztown followed in second place with three first-place votes.
2024 season at a glance
Head coach
Noreen Herlihy and assistant coach Nicole Kruger have worked to retool the IUP roster and enter their third year with the program in 2024. IUP returns its top eight point producers from a season ago, spearheaded by returning All-PSAC honorees
Hannah Scardina (66 career points),
Julia Csernyik and veteran
Kristen Finnerty.
Elle Smith, a talented first-year contributor, returns after posting five goals and 12 points in just 10 games. With a talented group of underclassmen, IUP looks to take the next step towards the conference tournament in 2024.
Sophomore midfielder
Emma Hays expects to be another anchor for the squad, picking up All-PSAC West Second Team honors over 16 games in 2023. IUP returns eight players in 2024 that started in 10 or more games last season, also welcoming of influx of newcomers and key transfers.
2024 schedule
Set for its 30th anniversary season, IUP has seven regular season home matches on the docket. The Crimson Hawks begin the home portion of the regular season against Clarion on September 11 for the start of conference play.
IUP open the 2024 regular season with a neutral site matchup against Frostburg State in Maryland on September 7.
Follow
For up-to-date information, visit IUPathletics.com and follow IUP women's soccer on X (Twitter) @IUPCrimsonHawk and @IUPsoccer.
2024 PSAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
(# of first-place votes)
EAST
1. West Chester (5)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Bloomsburg
5. Shepherd (1)
6. Millersville
7. Lock Haven
8. Shippensburg
9. Mansfield
WEST
1. Gannon (6)
2. Seton Hill (1)
3. Slippery Rock (1)
4. IUP
5. Edinboro
6. California
7. Clarion
8. Pitt-Johnstown
