Azusa, Calif - Azusa Pacific women's soccer was picked to finish fourth in the Preseason PacWest poll and returning defender Mackenzie Coleman was recognized on the preseason All-PacWest team Wednesday afternoon. 

After a fourth place finish in a 2021 season that was highly competitive, the Cougars were predicted to finish fourth in the PacWest for 2022. "Coaches have missed where we will finish for the past three years and I'm sure this year will be the same." said Head Coach Brooke Lincoln. "I'm very excited about the team we have this year and excited to get the season started! This poll will end up in the same place as last years!" 

Coleman was voted to the preseason All-PacWest team after an impressive 2021 season, where she was a Second Team D2CCA All-West Region performer as well as a First Team All-PacWest selection. Coleman was a huge presence on the backline for the Cougars last season, starting all 17 matches, totaling 1405 minutes and contributing to seven clean sheets and 12 games where there were one or fewer goals scored. 

Lincoln will look to her experienced returning group, including forward Bethany Tee and defender Kylie Carwitz who each were recognized as Third Team All-PacWest performers last season, as well as her talented freshman class to contribute to what is expected to be an exciting 2022 campaign. Azusa Pacific will face a competitive non conference slate, facing 22nd ranked Point Loma in a non conference matchup before seeing them a second time in conference. They will also take on Chico State and Cal Poly Pomona on the road.

The Cougars will set their sites on higher goals as they strive for a conference title and the first playoff appearance for the program since 2016 as they begin their season this week.

The 2022 season is set to kick off Thursday, August 25th at Cal State San Marcos, then the Cougars will return home on Saturday, August 27th for their first match at the Cougar Soccer Complex against Cal State Dominguez Hills with a start time set for 7:00 pm.