LONG BEACH, Calif. – The PacWest Conference announced the 2025 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll on Wednesday afternoon. Fresno Pacific was selected for a ninth place finish this upcoming season.
The women's soccer team collected 67 points, which was two points shy of Dominican (69). Point Loma reigned at the top of the poll with 165 points, while Concordia (150) and Hawaii Hilo (148) were right on its tail. The remaining schools who filled the gap were Azusa Pacific, Westmont, Chaminade, and Biola.
FPU will count on multiple returners to put up a fight and give their opponents a tough time on the pitch. FPU's lead scorer
Gizelle Aguirre returns to the 'Birds offensive line, alongside senior midfielders
Madisyn Anderson,
Nadia Flores, and
Karyme Hernandez. Holding down the defensive stand for the Blue and Orange will be the California-native trio
Karyssa Lopez (Sr.),
Zoie Lango (So.) and
Jesslyn McCave (Sr.). A defensive milestone hangs in the air for the Sunbirds, who only allowed 17 goals in the 2024 season.
The Sunbirds have many tricks up their sleeve this year. Second season head coach
Roberto Hernandez will showcase a brand-new offense that rivals last year's defensive prowess. Hernandez recruited an assortment of soccer talent from numerous experienced transfers to several bright-faced freshmen. Among those ten transfers arrived
Emily Alvarez (CSUMB),
Celeste Suarez (Clovis Community),
Melanie Mendizabal (Bakersfield) and goalkeeper
Lille Amies (William Jesssup).
The women's soccer team takes on Cal State Monterey Bay for the season home opener on Thursday, September 4 at 7:00 p.m. Come down to Ramirez Field to cheer on the 'Birds!
CLICK HERE for the full PacWest Preseason Poll for Women's Soccer.
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