ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Penn State women's soccer program has been selected as the preseason choice to win the 2020-21 Big Ten Conference announced by the league on Wednesday. As voted on by the conference coaches, Penn State has been selected preseason favorite to win the conference each year since 2003.
The Nittany Lions are the reigning Big Ten Tournament champions and have captured 19 Big Ten regular season crowns. Last year's Big Ten Tournament title was the eighth in program history and fourth under head coach Erica Dambach. Dambach has also captured 10 Big Ten regular season championships while leading the Nittany Lions.
Last season, the Nittany Lions advanced to the Sweet 16 for the 16th time in program history and fifth in the last six seasons.
The Nittany Lions three senior captains, Kerry Abello, Sam Coffey and Frankie Tagliaferri were each named to the 2020-21 Players to Watch List.
Both Abello and Coffey were recently selected in the 2021 NWSL draft. Coffey was selected 12th overall by the Portland Thorns and Abello, 24th overall by the Orlando Pride. Tagliaferri is a three time All-Big Ten honoree and was named an All-North Region performer in 2018.
The Nittany Lions open the 2020-21 season on Saturday, February 20 at Rutgers.
2020-21 BIG TEN WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
1. Penn State
2. Wisconsin
3. Michigan
4. Rutgers
5. Ohio State
6. Iowa
7. Northwestern
8. Indiana
9. Nebraska
10. Illinois
11. Purdue
12. Maryland
13. Minnesota
14. Michigan State
2020-21 BIG TEN WOMEN'S SOCCER PLAYERS TO WATCH LIST
Hope Breslin, Sr., M, Illinois
Ashley Cathro, So., D, Illinois
Makena Silber, Jr., F, Illinois
Anna Aehling, Fr., D, Indiana
Jen Blitchok, Fr., F, Indiana
Avery Lockwood, So., M, Indiana
Samantha Cary, So., D, Iowa
Hailey Rydberg, Jr., M, Iowa
Sara Wheaton, Jr., D, Iowa
Malikae Dayes, Sr., D, Maryland
Mikayla Dayes, Sr., F, Maryland
Alyssa Poarch, Jr., F, Maryland
Raleigh Loughman, Jr., M, Michigan
Alia Martin, Sr., D, Michigan
Sarah Stratigakis, Sr., M, Michigan
Lauren Kozal, So., GK, Michigan State
Bria Schrotenboer, So., D, Michigan State
Gia Wahlberg, Jr., F, Michigan State
Sophia Boman, Fr., M, Minnesota
Katie Duong, So., M, Minnesota
Makenzie Langdok, Sr., F, Minnesota
Grace Brown, Sr., D, Nebraska
Dakota Chan, Jr., M, Nebraska
Kenzie Coons, Jr., M, Nebraska
Regan Steigleder, Sr., M, Northwestern
Olivia Stone, Jr., F, Northwestern
Mackenzie Wood, Jr., GK, Northwestern
Kayla Fischer, Jr., F, Ohio State
Peyton McNamara, Fr., M, Ohio State
Izzy Rodriguez, Sr., D, Ohio State
Kerry Abello, Sr., F, Penn State
Sam Coffey, Sr., M, Penn State
Frankie Tagliaferri, Sr., M, Penn State
Marisa Bova, Jr., GK, Purdue
Sarah Griffith, Jr., F, Purdue
Grace Walsh, Jr., M, Purdue
Amirah Ali, Sr., F, Rutgers
Nneka Moneme, Sr., F, Rutgers
Meagan McClelland, Jr., GK, Rutgers
Jordyn Bloomer, Sr., GK, Wisconsin
Maia Cella, Sr., M, Wisconsin
Cameron Murtha, Sr., F, Wisconsin