Both Penn State men’s and women’s soccer will enter the fall season with lofty expectations following high rankings from the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll on Tuesday.

The poll ranked the women’s team at No. 14 nationwide, while the men’s team locked in at No. 21. Only one school, Duke, has a higher combined preseason ranking from its two soccer programs.

On the women’s side, Erica Dambach’s squad finished last season with an uncharacteristic 12-8-1 record and a departure from the NCAA Tournament with a loss to South Carolina in the Sweet Sixteen. However, Dambach has been hot on the recruiting trail throughout the offseason and picked up three transfers in Penelope Hocking, Olivia Smith, and Cassie Hiatt.

Additionally, Penn State women’s soccer signed seven freshmen to its 2022 recruiting class, including two Gatorade High School Players of the Year, in their respective states.

Meanwhile, Penn State men’s soccer is coming off an unprecedented season that concluded with a Big Ten conference and tournament win. The Nittany Lions landed at No. 21 in the preseason poll, only behind fellow Big Ten opponents Indiana and Maryland in the rankings.

Head coach Jeff Cook picked up eight freshmen recruits to its fall class, as well as transfer Atem Kato from the University of Portland ahead of the 2022 season.

Penn State men’s soccer will kick off its regular season at home against Drexel University at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, at Jeffrey Field. The women’s season will be underway one day later when the team hosts Georgetown at 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 18.