ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend men’s and women’s soccer teams were chosen to finish in first place in the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) this fall, according to the preseason voting by the league’s head coaches.

The women tallied six first-place votes to lead the league in the preseason poll. The Lions won their eighth conference championship and second straight title last season with a 2-1 double-overtime win against Pitt-Bradford. The Panthers are poised to give Behrend a run again this year after earning four first-place votes for second overall.

Senior captain Rachel Mueller (Shaler, PA/Shaler) will anchor the backline as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Mueller, an All-AMCC first-team choice in 2012, was one of six players to start all 20 games and helped the Lions post eight-shutout victories.

For the men, the Lions earned five first-place votes to edge out defending AMCC Champions Medaille. Behrend was the conference’s regular-season champions and finished second overall a year ago. Senior Eric Hackworth (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) was selected the Preseason Defender of the Year. Hackworth had a breakout season last year, earning AMCC Defender of the Year accolades along with First-Team All-Conference and Second-Team All-Region honors.

AMCC WOMEN'S SOCCER POLL
2013 Preseason Rankings*
1. Penn State Behrend (T-1)
2. Pitt-Bradford (T-1)
3. D'Youville (T-3)
4. La Roche (6)
5. Penn State Altoona (7)
6. Medaille (5)
7. Franciscan (8)
8. Pitt-Greensburg (T-3)
9. Hilbert (10)
10. Mount Aloysius (9)

AMCC MEN'S SOCCER POLL
2013 Preseason Rankings*
1. Penn State Behrend (T-1)
2. Medaille (T-1)
3. La Roche (3)
4. Hilbert (T-5)
5. Penn State Altoona (4)
6. Pitt-Greensburg (T-5)
7. Mount Aloysius (T-9)
8. Pitt-Bradford (T-7)
9. D'Youville (T-7)
10. Franciscan (T-9)

* Number in parentheses is order of regular season finish in 2012