HONOLULU– The Big West Conference unveiled its 2022 soccer preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Monday, appointing the University of Hawai'i to the No. 7 spot, along with one all-conference selection.

Senior forward Kelci Sumida claimed the lone All-Preseason honor after being selected to the Big West Second-Team a year ago. In 2021 Sumida led the Rainbow Wahine with five goals scored while starting in all 14 matches. Four of her five goals were against conference opponents, including her first career multi-goal match against CSUN on Sept. 23. 

As a team, the 'Bows are placed one spot above where they finished the 2021 campaign. UH wrapped up with a 2-9-3 overall record while going 2-5-2 against the conference. Head coach Michele Nagamine's squad was selected at No. 6 heading into last season. 

UC Irvine was voted the conference favorite in 2022 after a historic season in 2021. The Anteaters won the regular season and tournament championships, receiving a bid to the NCAA tournament. In the opening round, they knocked off the No. 2 seeded and third-ranked UCLA Bruins. 

The regular season will officially begin this week on Thursday for the 'Bows as they take on WAC preseason favorite, Grand Canyon in Phoenix, Ariz., at 4 p.m. HT. 

2022 Big West Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank Institution Points
1. UC Irvine 91 (5)
T2. Cal Poly 86 (3)
    Long Beach State 86 (2)
4. Cal State Fullerton 79 (1)
5. UC Davis 55
6. UC Santa Barbara 52
7. Hawai'i 47
8. UC San Diego 39
9. UC Riverside 34
10. CSUN 20
11. CSU Bakersfield 16
First-place votes in parentheses

2022 Big West Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Team
Student-Athlete      Institution     Position      Year
Cindy Arteaga          CSUN             Forward       Junior
Kennedy Carter       UCSD             Forward       Sophomore
Maddy Chavez        UC Irvine        Defender      Senior
Karen Flores           CSUB             Forward        Junior
Leslie Fregoso        UC Davis        Forward        Junior
Kaya Hawkinson     CSF                Midfielder     Senior
Camille Lafaix         Cal Poly          Midfielder     Senior
Lena Silano             LBSU             Forward        Senior
Kelci Sumida          Hawai'i            Forward        Senior
Nikki Trucco            Cal Poly         Forward         Senior
Risa Yamada          UC Davis        Midfielder      Junior