LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – No. 21 Kutztown was selected third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Eastern Division preseason poll, as voted on by the league's head coaches and announced Thursday afternoon.

The Golden Bears are coming off a 9–8 overall campaign in 2025, finishing 6–6 in PSAC play. Of KU's nine victories, two came against nationally ranked opponents, while seven were earned at Keystone Field. Kutztown allowed just 180 goals and held opponents to a .363 shot percentage last spring, both the lowest totals in the PSAC.

Reigning PSAC Champion West Chester was picked to finish first in the East, receiving six of the seven first-place votes. East Stroudsburg earned the remaining first-place vote and was selected second, followed by Kutztown in third. Millersville was slotted fourth, Shippensburg fifth, Bloomsburg sixth and Shepherd seventh.

Kutztown concluded the 2025 season ranked No. 23 in the national poll after opening the year at No. 13. The Golden Bears welcome nine freshmen and one transfer to the roster while returning 21 student-athletes, including All-PSAC East selection Summer Davis (Beach Haven, N.J./Southern Regional).

Head coach Kristen Nicholson enters her fifth season at the helm of the program, joined by assistant coach Tiffany Anderson, who begins her sixth year on the KU staff. Former Golden Bear standout Olivia Eilbacher has also joined the coaching staff as a graduate assistant.

The Golden Bears are scheduled to open the 2026 season at home on Saturday, Feb. 21, against IUP, which was picked fourth in the PSAC Western Division preseason poll.