By: Bryan Shepherd, Sports Information Director
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. – The Mountain East Conference announced its 2025 women's soccer preseason poll on Wednesday, with West Virginia State University voted second in the South Division.
The Yellow Jackets open a new era under first-year head coach Jacob Edwards, who takes over a program coming off another successful campaign that ended with the school's first MEC Championship.
Leading the returners is sophomore forward Sara París Fílter, the reigning MEC Freshman of the Year, a second-team All-MEC selection, and a second-team All-Atlantic Region honoree. Filter delivered one of the biggest moments in program history last fall when she scored the game-winning goal in the MEC Championship at the 88:25 mark. She finished her rookie season with 13 goals, five assists, and five game-winners in just 1,208 minutes of action.
On the defensive side, redshirt junior captain Billie Jean Davies anchors the back line. Davies has been a steady contributor throughout her career, compiling 11 assists as a defender.
Senior captain Leila Karam, an honorable mention All-MEC pick, also returns after posting 13 goals, two assists, and three game-winners a season ago. Senior Aika Tobaru, a second-team All-MEC midfielder, adds creativity after starting 18 of 22 matches and recording three goals and seven assists in 2024.
One of the key departures is goalkeeper Laura Galindo, who graduated after a decorated career. A second-team All-MEC selection last year, Galindo was a four-year starter who amassed a career record of 49-17-9 with 28 shutouts, a 0.94 goals-against average, and an .820 save percentage.
The Yellow Jackets will begin the 2025 season on the road at West Chester on Thursday, Sept. 4, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m.
In the preseason poll, Charleston was picked to win the South Division, while Frostburg State was tabbed first in the North Division.
The full preseason poll is below:
| 2025 MEC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll |
| Rank |
Team (1st Place Votes) |
Points |
| NORTH DIVISION |
| 1. |
Frostburg State (9) |
49 |
| 2. |
Fairmont State (2) |
42 |
| 3. |
West Liberty |
28 |
| 4. |
Point Park |
23 |
| 5. |
Wheeling |
18 |
| SOUTH DIVISION |
| 1. |
Charleston (6) |
56 |
| 2. |
West Virginia St. (2) |
49 |
| 3. |
Concord (3) |
48 |
| 4. |
Glenville State |
30 |
| 5. |
West Virginia Wesleyan |
26 |
| 6. |
Davis & Elkins |
16 |
