The Siena Heights women's soccer team was rated third on the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference preseason coaches poll as announced by the league on Thursday.

SHU rates behind only fellow defending WHAC regular-season champ Aquinas and WHAC Tournament winner Northwestern Ohio. The Saints advanced to the WHAC semifinals last year before they tied Lawrence Tech, 0-0, and then were eliminated by Lawrence Tech via penalty kicks.

SHU was one of three schools to receive first-place votes. Aquinas garnered 10, Siena Heights had two and UNOH had one.

Last year, Siena Heights ended with a 15-1-6 record while going 9-0-2 in conference play. SHU returns a trio of All-WHAC performers: WHAC Midfielder of the Year Parker Cheney (First Team), Sarah Ammon (Second Team) and Lily Tiplady (Second Team).

The Saints have not lost a game against a WHAC opponent since a WHAC semifinal loss to Aquinas in 2022, meaning SHU is 10-0-3 in its last 13 games versus fellow conference schools (regular season and WHAC postseason).

Siena Heights is set to open its season at home on Aug. 21 when Indiana East visits for a 7 p.m. start. SHU's first WHAC contest is a Sept. 18 date at Lawrence Tech at 7 p.m.

WHAC Preseason Poll

1. Aquinas 166 (10 first-place votes)
2. Northwestern Ohio 151 (1)
3. Siena Heights 149 (2)
4. Lawrence Tech 129
5. Madonna 112
6. Rochester Christian 106
7. Lourdes 76
8. Michigan-Dearborn 74
9. Indiana Tech 69
10. Cornerstone 59
11. Cleary 47
12. Concordia 28
13. Defiance 17