LOCK HAVEN, Pa. --- The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced the results of the 2026-27 women's basketball preseason coaches' polls on Thursday. The Clarion Golden Eagles were predicted to finish sixth in the PSAC West division this year.
 
The Golden Eagles are coming off their second straight appearance in the PSAC Tournament, the first time they've made back-to-back appearances in the conference tournament since 2008-09. Head coach Danielle Fleming is in her fourth year at the helm of the program.
 
Clarion will have two returning starters ready to take the court at the start of the season, with Alyssa Terza and Niah Smedley each starting 17 or more games a year ago. Terza averaged 7.7 points and 7.6 rebounds per game in 2025-26, while Smedley averaged 7.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game.
 
Among the additions for the Golden Eagles this season will be Christiana Gordon, a mid-year transfer in 2025-26 that sat out the spring. Gordon was a former first team all-state selection at Westmont Hilltop that originally committed to Vermont.
 
The Golden Eagles open the season on the road at D'Youville before a home tip-off tournament the following weekend, hosting Lake Erie and Malone in a crossover with the G-MAC.
 
EAST
 
1. East Stroudsburg (3)
2. Kutztown (3)
3. Millersville (2)
4. Bloomsburg
5. West Chester
6. Shepherd
7. Shippensburg
8. Mansfield
 
 
WEST
 
1. IUP (7)
2. Gannon (2)
3. Edinboro
4. California
5. Lock Haven
6. Clarion
7. Pitt-Johnstown
8. Slippery Rock
9. Seton Hill