EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University's women's soccer team is expected to contend for its fourth straight appearance in the PSAC tournament in a poll of the conference's coaches, it was announced Thursday.

ESU is tied with Bloomsburg for the eighth spot in the preseason poll, which includes all 15 women's soccer programs as the PSAC returns to a single-division format in 2010. The top eight schools will qualify for the PSAC tournament at the conclusion of the 14-game schedule.

The Warriors were 11-7-2 a year ago and played in the PSAC quarterfinals after advancing to the semifinals in 2007 and 2008. They have made the PSAC postseason in each of their first three years under head coach Rob Berkowitz, who was the PSAC East Coach of the Year in 2007 and enters the season with a 35-20-7 record.

Defending PSAC champion West Chester is the preseason favorite, picking up nine of the 15 first-place votes. California is the coaches' second choice, followed by IUP, Kutztown and Gannon. ESU is one of four schools to make the last three conference tournaments, along with West Chester, IUP and Bloomsburg.

The 2010 Warriors will feature seven returning starters, including their top four goal scorers, from a team that led the PSAC with 2.65 goals per game a year ago.

Junior midfielder Devon Miniscalco scored 12 goals and was a Daktronics All-Region selection. Senior forward Lindsay Foder (seven goals, six assists) was named to the NSCAA All-Region team and was first team All-PSAC East, senior forward Kailyn Buckley (eight goals, six assists) was second team All-PSAC East and sophomore midfielder Marissa Spitler (seven goals, four assists) had a strong freshman season.

In the back, junior Linda Martine is a two-year starter and sophomore Breanne Ingargiola started all 20 games last season. Junior goalkeeper Melissa Myers had a 6-4-1 record and made 12 starts.

PSAC preseason poll

1. West Chester (9)
2. California (5)
3. IUP
4. Kutztown (1)
5. Gannon
t-6. Mercyhurst
t-6. Slippery Rock
t-8. Bloomsburg
t-8. ESU
10. Edinboro
11. Shippensburg
12. Millersville
13. Lock Haven
14. Mansfield
15. Clarion