SAN MATEO, Calif. – NCAA runner-up BYU garnered the top spot in the annual West Coast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll as announced on Wednesday. The Cougars will vie for their ninth WCC title since 2012, and BYU has captured three of the last four conference crowns after sharing the 2021 title with fellow NCAA College Cup participant Santa Clara.
The preseason poll and the All-WCC team were selected solely by a vote of the conference’s 10 head coaches. Coaches cannot vote for their own teams and student-athletes.
The Cougars enter the fall season ranked No. 3 in the preseason United Soccer Coaches Poll. BYU earned 80 points in the coaches balloting, including eight first-place votes.
The Broncos also enter the 2022 campaign with a lot of momentum, earning a preseason national ranking of No. 5 and 72 points in the coaches ballot with two first-place votes.
Pepperdine was picked third with 64 points after garnering a preseason ranking of No. 17. Last season, the Waves earned two wins in the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual-national champion Florida State.
On the preseason team, BYU led the way with three members, while Santa Clara and Pepperdine each boasted two selections.
Six of 11 members on the squad earned All-WCC First Team honors last fall - Izzy D'Aquila, Erin Healy, Nedya Sawan, Jamie Shepherd, Suzuna Shibukawa and Tori Waldeck.
2020-21 WCC Freshman of the Year Sally Menti of Santa Clara was named to her second straight WCC Preseason Team. Also earning the recognition for the second straight year are her teammate D'Aquila and Pepperdine's Trinity Watson.
2022 WCC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
| Place |
Team |
First Place |
Points |
| 1. |
No. 3 BYU |
8 |
80 |
| 2. |
No. 5 Santa Clara |
2 |
72 |
| 3. |
No. 17 Pepperdine |
|
64 |
| 4. |
Gonzaga |
|
59 |
| 5. |
Portland |
|
46 |
| 6. |
Saint Mary’s |
|
43 |
| 7. |
San Francisco |
|
32 |
| 8. |
Pacific |
|
22 |
| 9. |
LMU |
|
19 |
| 10. |
San Diego |
|
13 |
| 2022 All-WCC Women's Soccer Preseason Team |
| Name |
Institution |
Yr. |
Pos. |
| Izzy D'Aquila |
Santa Clara |
Sr.* |
F |
| Erin Healy |
Gonzaga |
Sr. |
M |
| Sally Menti |
Santa Clara |
Jr.* |
F |
| Nedya Sawan |
Portland |
Jr. |
F |
| Jamie Shepherd |
BYU |
Jr. |
M |
| Suzuna Shibukawa |
Saint Mary’s |
Jr. |
F |
| Olivia Smith |
BYU |
So. |
D |
| Lava Vaka |
BYU |
Jr. |
D |
| Marissa Vasquez |
San Francisco |
Jr. |
M |
| Tori Waldeck |
Pepperdine |
Jr. |
F |
| Trinity Watson |
Pepperdine |
Sr.* |
D |
ABOUT THE WEST COAST CONFERENCE
The West Coast Conference was formed in 1952 and has evolved and grown to become a nationally recognized and competitive force in Division I intercollegiate athletics. The WCC is characterized by the stability of its membership and its unique emphasis on combining excellence in athletics with excellence in academics. For more information, visit WCCsports.com and follow the West Coast Conference on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @WCCsports.