FARMINGTON, Utah – After finishing third in the northwest division of the regular season last spring, the Eastern Washington University soccer team has been predicted to tie for sixth in the Big Sky Preseason Poll, as announced today (Aug. 11).

The poll is voted on by the league's 10 head coaches, and coaches cannot vote for their own team. The Eagles earned 43 points alongside Weber State who captured one first-place vote, finishing just behind Sacramento State who received 48 votes and Idaho who collected 56 votes. Northern Arizona (71 points) was picked first, just edging Montana (70 points). NAU won last year's South Division while the Grizzlies won the North. A full breakdown of the poll and votes can be found below.

Eastern Washington is loaded with returners as it brings back nine starters and 23 returners overall. Returners include 2019 Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and 2020 Second-Team defender, Taylor Matheny, First-Team selection Madison Kem and Second-Team selection Sariah Keister. Kelsee Winston, who is already the school record holder in career shutouts, will return between the posts as well as attacking threat Maddie Morgan who earned herself two goals and three assists in the 11 matches played last spring. The Eagles are coached by Missy Strasburg who is entering her first year at the helm. Five newcomers also join the squad this year.

Eastern Washington composed an overall record of 5-4-2 for the program's sixth-straight winning season in 2020. They had a mark of 4-2-2 in conference play, finishing third in the northwest section of the regular season.

The Eagles have begun fall practices and host an exhibition match at the EWU Soccer Field against Columbia Basin College this Friday, Aug. 13 at 5 p.m. Pacific time. EWU's regular season opener takes place at Gonzaga on Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. and Big Sky play begins Sept. 24 at Idaho State.

2020 BIG SKY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

1              Northern Arizona – 71 (2 first-place votes)
2              Montana – 70 (4)
3              Northern Colorado – 66 (3)
4              Idaho – 56
5              Sacramento State - 48
6              Weber State – 43 (1)
T6            Eastern Washington – 43
8              Southern Utah – 22
9              Portland State – 17
10            Idaho State – 14