Charleston, W. Va – 
 
Todd Diuguid and the University of Charleston women's soccer squad will start the year ranked second in the MEC South Division with two first-place votes after the release of the MEC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll. 
 
Charleston had a standout 2021 season after finishing the year 15-6 (13-3 MEC) and making a trip to the first round of the NCAA Atlantic Regional in Kutztown, PA. The Golden Eagles rounded out the regular season with a 9-game winning streak, outscoring opponents 29-4. 
 
The Golden Eagles return an experienced lineup on the pitch, with always reliable defender Madison Hansen coming back for her final year at the helm as well as Kate Eddy who joins her in the backfield. The midfield will be held down by a couple of veterans in Brooke Lucas, Laura Vierhout, and Mallory Beach. The attacking third will consist of strikers Katy O'Reilly, Sydney Cavender and Rachel Osborne as they plan to consistently cause an issue for MEC goalkeepers throughout the year. One name to keep in mind for the upcoming season is sophomore defender Audrey Miller. The lightning-fast local proved to be a resourceful weapon as a freshman and will look to be a headache for opposing teams. 
 
Concord finished atop the South Division poll with 64 points and 9 first-place votes. In the North Division, Frostburg State was given the nod as the favorite entering the 2022 season with 64 points and 9 first-place votes. Deadlocked at 52 points, Fairmont State and Notre Dame tie for the second-place finish in the division, with Fairmont State receiving two first-place votes and Notre Dame given one. 
 
The Golden Eagles will open up their season at the Welch Athletic Complex in Charleston, WV as they take on the Bears of Kutztown University on August 25^th at 1:00 p.m.