Bridgeport, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference released its annual women's soccer preseason coaches poll on Wednesday, with West Liberty University picked to finish third in the MEC North Division.
The Hilltoppers, led by third-year head coach Pete McMenemy, earned 28 points in the balloting by the league's head coaches. West Liberty is coming off back-to-back MEC Tournament appearances under McMenemy and will look to continue that momentum in 2025.
Perennial power Frostburg State was voted the preseason favorite in the North after going 15-4-2 overall and 11-1-2 in league play last fall. The Bobcats claimed nine of the division's 11 first-place votes and finished atop the poll with 49 points. Fairmont State received the other two first-place nods and landed second with 42 points. Behind West Liberty, Point Park (23) and Wheeling (18) rounded out the division standings.
In the South Division, the University of Charleston was picked first after a 16-win season, receiving six first-place votes and 56 points overall. Defending MEC Tournament champion West Virginia State (49) and Concord (48) followed closely, while Glenville State, West Virginia Wesleyan, and Davis & Elkins filled out the rankings.
Coach McMenemy said he's encouraged by what he has seen from his group heading into the new year.
"I'm excited for the season and hoping we can take the next step—not just make the postseason, but host a playoff game, something that's only been done once in program history," McMenemy said. "I feel this group has the ability to match all of our opponents on the schedule."
West Liberty opens its 2025 campaign with a pair of non-conference matchups, visiting IUP on Thursday, Sept. 4, before returning home to face Seton Hill on Sunday, Sept. 7. MEC play begins the following week.
2025 MEC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
North Division
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Frostburg State (9) – 49
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Fairmont State (2) – 42
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West Liberty – 28
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Point Park – 23
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Wheeling – 18
South Division
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Charleston (6) – 56
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West Virginia State (2) – 49
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Concord (3) – 48
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Glenville State – 30
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West Virginia Wesleyan – 26
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Davis & Elkins – 16
Coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team.
