ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – The Penn State Altoona women's soccer team held down eighth place in the 2018 edition of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference's Preseason Coaches' Poll, the results of which were announced on Tuesday.

Defending AMCC champion Penn State Behrend was voted into first place in the poll, with Mount Aloysius College and Franciscan University following in second and third places, respectively.

Penn State Altoona went 5-12 overall last season, including a 3-6 record in the AMCC. Head  coach Pam Snyder Etters, who is entering her ninth year leading the women's soccer program, will look to steer a young but talented roster toward success this fall.

Named as "Players to Watch" for Penn State Altoona in the poll were senior goalkeeper/defender Sydney Emershaw (Dallas, PA/Dallas) and sophomore midfielder Kierra Irwin (Altoona, PA/Altoona).

Emershaw started 14 of her team's 17 games in goal last season, making 110 saves and recording a .769 save percentage. She posted five wins, including two shutouts, and was named the AMCC's Defensive Player of the Week once.

Irwin was one of the top freshman players in the conference last season. Making 16 starts, she was second on the team in points (11), goals scored (3), assists (5), shots on goal (35), and total shots (57).

Penn State Altoona women's soccer starts its 2018 season on Friday, August 31 with a home game against non-conference opponent Wilson College at 5:30 p.m.

VIEW THE COMPLETE 2018 AMCC PRESEASON POLL

Preseason Conference Ranking

1. Penn State Behrend

2. Mount Aloysius College

3. Franciscan University

4. D'Youville College

5. La Roche College

6. Pitt-Greensburg

7. Pitt-Bradford

8. Penn State Altoona

9. Hilbert College

10. Medaille College