FARMINGTON, UTAH — After finishing seventh in Big Sky last season, Eastern Washington women's soccer was picked to finish fifth in the 2023 Big Sky preseason coaches' poll, as announced by the conference on Thursday.
Head coach Missy Strasburg begins her third season leading the Eagles and the team earned 35 points to land in the fifth spot. Eastern was five points behind Montana in fourth and one point ahead of Sacramento State for sixth.
The team finished with a 5-8-5 overall record last season, going 2-3-3 in conference games. The Eagles return nine of their 11 starters from the 2022 team, including first team All-Conference selections
Maddie Morgan and
Madison Kem.
Morgan was named the Big Sky Co-Offensive Player of the Year and was the Co-Golden Boot award winner. She scored five goals and tallied four assists, recording 38 shots. Kem scored three goals and recorded 15 shots to earn her fourth-straight first team selection.
Forward Grace Terrill earned an All-Conference honorable mention after scoring one goal and two assists, contributing 19 shots. Goalkeeper Kamryn Willoughby returns after making 16 starts as a true freshman, earning four shutouts while making 85 total saves.
Eastern returns 21 players from last year's team while adding nine newcomers.
Defending conference champions Northern Arizona were picked to defend their title, earning four first place votes.
Eastern Washington will be on the pitch on Thursday night for an exhibition against Trinity Western at EWU Soccer Field. The Eagles' regular season begins on Thursday, Aug. 17 against Washington State in Pullman.
2023 Big Sky Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Northern Arizona (4) – 54
2. Idaho (3) – 49
3. Weber State (1) – 45
4. Montana – 40
5. Eastern Washington – 35
6. Sacramento State – 34
T7. Portland State (1) - 28
T7. Northern Colorado – 28
9. Idaho State – 11
() – Indicates Number of First-Place Votes
New for the 2023-24 season, the EWU Women's Sports Pass gives fans access to over 30 Eagle Athletics events, including volleyball, soccer and women's basketball for only $5 per game! Learn more and get yours today at goeags.com/tickets or call 509-359-6056.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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