LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Aug. 16) – The California (PA) men's soccer team was chosen to finish fifth in the preseason Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West poll, which was released by the league office on Wednesday afternoon.

The Vulcans finished last year with a 4-11-1 overall record and placed fifth in the standings last fall with six points behind a 2-8 mark in divisional play. Cal has featured multiple All-PSAC West selections in each of the last three seasons.

Crosstown rivals Gannon and Mercyhurst tied for first place in the preseason poll with each team earning three first-place votes. The Lakers, which feature a first-year head coach, recorded an undefeated regular season in 2022 and captured the PSAC Championship before losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Knights advanced to the semifinals of the PSAC Tournament last year yet will have to replace the nation's leading goal scorer. Seton Hill was chosen third in the division after tying for second place in the PSAC West standings last year with 20 points, its highest total since 2016.

Bloomsburg was the preseason favorite in the PSAC East with four first-place votes after advancing to the PSAC Championship for the first time in nearly a decade. West Chester garnered the remaining three first-place votes to place second in the poll, while Millersville finished third in the preseason rankings after missing the league tournament in 2022 after previously winning three-consecutive conference titles.

Led by 11th-year head coach Emedin Sabic, the Vulcans start the year on Aug. 31 by traveling to face Frostburg State in non-conference action at 7 p.m.