Behrend Women's Soccer Picked First in AMCC Preseason Poll
After winning their 16th overall Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Championship last season, the Penn State Behrend women's soccer team has been chosen by the league coaches to claim the AMCC title in 2024.
ERIE, Pa. - After winning their 16th overall Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Championship last season, the Penn State Behrend women's soccer team has been chosen by the league coaches to claim the AMCC title in 2024.
The Lions defeated Pitt-Greensburg in the AMCC Championships 3-0 on penalty kicks to advance to the NCAA Tournament. Returning junior goalkeeper Riley Morningstar (North Huntingdon, PA/Norwin) stopped the final two Bobcat penalty kicks to secure the conference championship. Behrend had a 12-game stretch without a loss heading into the NCAA Tournament, falling 2-1 to No. 6 Rochester. The Lions finished the 2023 season with a 13-5-2 overall record.
Senior Nicole Croushore (Smithton, PA/Yough) was selected AMCC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. She was an All-AMCC First Team selection last season, leading the defense that allowed two goals for a 0.22 goals-against average while helping Behrend post seven shutouts in conference play.
Other returning All-Conference players include Morningstar, senior forward Trinity Prestash (Phillipsburg, PA/West Branch), senior defender Audra Kuzma (Center, PA/Central Valley), sophomore forward Rachel Sickeri (DuBois, PA/DuBois), junior forward Lizzie Hoff (Moon, PA/Moon Area) and sophomore midfielder Marlene Andrade (Walnut Creek, CA/Clayton Valley Charter).
Pitt-Greensburg, the AMCC Champions from 2022, was selected to finish second followed by Mt. Aloysius in third.
AMCC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Penn State Behrend (T1)
2. Pitt-Greensburg (T1)
3. Mt. Aloysius (4)
4. Hilbert (3)
5. Penn State Altoona (T6)
6. Alfred State (T6)
7. La Roche (5)
8. Carlow (8)
9. Pitt-Bradford (9)
*Number in parenthesis is order of regular season finish in 2023