LOCK HAVEN, Pennsylvania – The start of the 2024 season and a new era is upon us for the Lock Haven women’s soccer team. The Bald Eagles will open the 2024 season at home against California (Pa.) on Sept. 5.
The coming season heralds a new era, as the new head coach Jesse Urquhart takes over the management of the program.
In preparation for the 2024 season, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) released the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, and Lock Haven was ranked No. 7 in the Eastern Division. West Chester received five of nine first-place finishes and was named the favorite by the coaches to win the division. Kutztown received three first-place finishes and was seeded No. 2, while East Stroudsburg was seeded No. 3. Rounding out the Eastern Division rankings were No. 4 Bloomsburg, No. 5 Shepherd, No. 6 Millersville, No. 7 Lock Haven, No. 8 Shippensburg and No. 9 Mansfield.
In the Western Division, Gannon received six first-place picks and was selected as the favorite. Seton Hill and Slippery Rock were selected as No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. The preseason selections in the West were rounded out by No. 4 IUP, No. 5 Edinboro, No. 6 California, No. 7 Clarion and No. 8 Pitt-Johnstown.
Urquhart was named Lock Haven’s new head coach in May, but is no stranger to the PSAC. He spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Seton Hill, working with both the men’s and women’s programs. Under his leadership, both Seton Hill teams competed in consecutive PSAC tournaments. Urquhart was the head coach of the women’s soccer team at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana from 2016-2022.
A number of talented and experienced Bald Eagles return to lead the team on the field in 2024. This will be led by goalkeeper Megan Miller and further Evelyn Ciaccia.
Miller started all 18 games and played every minute in goal for Lock Haven last season. She finished the season with 100 saves, which was second most in the PSAC, and ranked third in the league in saves per game.
Ciaccia, a two-time All-Conference selection, scored 10 goals last season, the most on her team and fifth most in the PSAC. She also added two assists.
The Bald Eagles officially open the 2024 season on Thursday, Sept. 5, at home against California (Pa.) in PSAC East-West crossover play. It will be the first of two games against PSAC West opponents when Lock Haven faces Seton Hill on the road on Sept. 8. The Bald Eagles defeated Seton Hill 2-1 last year.
The season opener on Sept. 5 is one of nine home games at Hubert Jack Stadium. Lock Haven opens PSAC East play at home against Mansfield on Wednesday, Sept. 11. The full 2024 schedule for the Lock Haven women’s soccer team is available on GoLHU.com.
2024 PSAC Preseason Women’s Soccer Coaches Polls:
Eastern Division –
1. West Chester (5)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. East Stroudsburg
4. Bloomsburg
5. Shepherd (1)
6. Millersville
7. Lock Harbour
8. Shippensburg
9. Mansfield
Western Division –
1. Gannon (6)
2. Seton Hill (1)
3. The slippery rock (1)
4. IUD
5. Edinboro
6. California
7. Clarion
8. Pitt-Johnstown
*(Votes for first place)
