LOCK HAVEN, Pa. (Aug. 12) – The California (PA) women's soccer team was slotted sixth in the preseason Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West poll announced by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.

The Vulcans finished seventh in the league standings last fall with 10 points behind a 3-10-1 mark in divisional action and a 4-12-2 overall record.

Gannon was the preseason favorite for the third-consecutive year after receiving seven first-place votes. The Golden Knights advanced to the Atlantic Regional Championship in 2024 after finishing divisional play with an undefeated record. Slippery Rock earned the remaining first-place vote and features a new head coach this fall, as Noreen Herlihy returns to the program after previously guiding The Rock for two decades. IUP and Seton Hill rounded out the top half of the preseason poll in the division.

In the PSAC East, Shepherd was the overwhelming preseason favorite with seven first-place votes. The Rams captured the first-ever conference title in program history last fall and advanced to the national quarterfinals in the NCAA Tournament. West Chester was slotted second with one first-place vote and return the two-time PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, while Kutztown was positioned third and received the final first-place vote.

Led by eighth-year head coach Pete Curtis, Cal begins the year on Sept. 4 when it hosts Lock Haven in non-conference play at 1 p.m.