SAN BRUNO, Calif. – Gonzaga's Makayla Werner was named Preseason All-West Coast Conference, and the Bulldogs were selected third in the league's annual poll released Thursday.
 
The preseason poll and All-WCC team were selected solely by a vote of the conference's 12 head coaches. Coaches cannot vote for their own teams and student-athletes.
 
Last season, Werner was one of five Zags to start all 19 games, while logging a team-high 1,700 minutes, playing all but 10 minutes of game action, a career best. During her sophomore season, she played a key role in securing seven shutouts and a plus-seven goal differential.
 
Last season, Gonzaga placed third in the final West Coast Conference standings, winning its last three contests. The Zags ended the regular season winning five out of their last six. GU was unbeaten in six of its last seven, with the lone loss at then-ranked No. 10 Santa Clara, 2-1. The Bulldogs clinched their seventh 10-win season over the last eight seasons, with the exception being seven wins in the Spring 2020 shortened season that totaled only 11 games.
 
Santa Clara once again garnered first place in the annual West Coast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Broncos will vie for at least a share of their fifth conference crown in the last six seasons when the 2025 campaign begins next Thursday.
 
The Broncos amassed 116 points in the coaches balloting, including seven first-place votes, just enough to hold off Pepperdine and the Waves' 115 points, including five first-place votes. This marks the third consecutive conference preseason poll in which Santa Clara garnered the top spot.
 
It was a one-point difference for third-place, as well, as Gonzaga's 85 points bested LMU (84) for third place. Not far behind was Washington State in fifth place with 79 points.
 
The Zags open the regular season at home against Utah on Aug. 14.
 
2025 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Santa Clara - 116 points (7)
2. Pepperdine - 115 points (5)
3. Gonzaga - 85 points
4. LMU - 84 points
5. Washington State - 79 points
6. Portland - 73 points
7. Saint Mary's - 66 points
8. Oregon State - 59 points
9. Seattle - 41 points
10. San Diego - 31 points
11. San Francisco - 29 points
12. Pacific – 14 points
 
2025 Women's Soccer Preseason Team
Kylie Dobbs, LMU
Keeley Dockter, Portland
Karina Gonzalez, Pepperdine
Tabitha LaParl, Pepperdine
Sydney Middaugh, Saint Mary's
Caroline Penner, Seattle
Mya Sanchez, Oregon State
Kennedy Schoennauer, Santa Clara
Jenna Studer, Washington State
Makayla Werner, Gonzaga
Tatum Wynalda, Pepperdine