SAN MATEO, Calif. – Portland Pilots women's soccer forward Nedya Sawan was named to the 2022 WCC Preseason Team as the Pilots were picked to finish fifth in the West Coast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll.
Sawan was one of the top forwards in the conference last season, finishing with 26 points off 12 goals and two assists. She was first in the WCC in game-winning goals (6), third in total goals and sixth in total points. She was an All-WCC First Team selection last year and also made the United Soccer Coaches All-West Region Third Team.
The Pilots were picked to finish in the top five for the fourth season in a row and the fourth time since Michelle French took the reigns as head coach in 2018. BYU was picked to repeat as WCC champions with 80 total points and eight first-place votes. Santa Clara earned two first place votes and 72 total points followed by Pepperdine in third with 64 points. Gonzaga (59 points) and Portland (46 points) round out the top five.
The sixth position in the WCC preseason poll belongs to Saint Mary's with 43 points, followed by San Francisco with 32 points. Pacific (22 points), Loyola Marymount (19 points) and San Diego (13 points) round out the bottom three.
Portland experienced their best conference finish since 2013 (fifth place) and their best conference record (5-4) since 2013 as well. They finished above .500 at 9-8, with four players – Sawan, Taryn Ries, Ellie Walker and Bre Norris – earning All-WCC honors.
For the full WCC Preseason Poll and the All-WCC Women's Soccer Preseason Team, check below.
2022 WCC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first-place votes) points
BYU (8) 80
Santa Clara (2) 72
Pepperdine 64
Gonzaga 59
Portland 46
Saint Mary's 43
San Francisco 32
Pacific 22
LMU 19
San Diego 13
2022 WCC Women's Soccer Preseason Team
Izzy D'Aquila - SCU - Sr. - F
Erin Healy - GON - Sr. - M
Sally Menti - SCU - Jr. - F
Nedya Sawan - UP - Jr. - F
Jamie Shepherd - BYU - Jr. - M
Suzuna Shibukawa - SMC - Jr. - F
Olivia Smith - BYU - So. - D
Lava Vaka - BYU - Jr. - D
Marissa Vasquez - USF - Jr. - M
Tori Waldeck - PEP - Jr. - F
Trinity Watson - PEP - Sr. – D
