CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Mid-American Conference (MAC) announced its preseason women's soccer coaches poll Tuesday afternoon, with Western Michigan being selected second among the 12-team conference. The Broncos received three first-place votes and had 104 total points. The Brown and Gold also received one tournament champion vote. 

The full poll: Buffalo (112 points, 7 FPV), WMU (104 points, three FPV), Ball State (100 points, one FPV), Bowling Green (98 points), Miami (86 points, one FPV), Kent State (67 points), Ohio (65 points), Northern Illinois (42 points), Eastern Michigan (35 points), Central Michigan (31 points), Toledo (27 points) and Akron (26 points). 

 The Broncos went 5-4-1 in MAC play last season and earned a trip to the conference tournament for the first time since 2019. WMU returns six players that scored at least two goals, including Jenna Blackburn and Reagan Wisser who each tallied five. Blackburn was a First Team All-MAC selection in 2022, while Mira Pierre Webster earned Second Team All-Conference honors. Additionally, Madi Canada returns after making the All-MAC Freshman Team. 

The Broncos downed Wright State 9-0 in an exhibition contest on Aug. 10 to begin the season. The regular season kicks off on Aug. 17, as WMU will travel to Northern Kentucky to square off with the Norse. The Brown and Gold's first regular season home game will be on Aug. 27 against Butler.