KANSAS CITY, Mo.-- The Kutztown University women's soccer team took a massive leap in this week's United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll, landing at No. 5, as announced by the organization Tuesday afternoon. The Golden Bears jump up 14 spots from the preseason poll and have earned their highest ranking since November of 2021.

KU opened the season at the Gannon Invitational this past weekend, drawing Charleston (W. Va.) 1-1, before bouncing back with a 2-1 comeback win against Concord. Senior midfielder Lexy Endres (Medford, N.J./Shawnee) stole the show in both games, scoring all three goals in route to a PSAC East Athlete of the Week honor.

Western Washington University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.), Dallas Baptist University, and Ferris State University are the only four teams above KU in the rankings. PSAC East foes West Chester dropped to No. 13, while East Stroudsburg received votes in this edition of the rankings. 

The No. 5 Golden Bears return to Keystone Field to open the PSAC East slate on Wednesday, Sept. 6 against Millersville. That game is set to kick off at 7 p.m.