Women's Soccer Presason Webcast and Poll Released

Women's Soccer Presason Webcast and Poll Released

The Lady Lions are coming off a solid preseason and feel ready to compete this year in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC).  The past two years have been a struggle, but the women feel this is the year they turn the tide and make 2015 a season to remember. 

"The ladies look better this preseason and have come together as a team more than my previous three seasons with the squad." Coach Clay continued with, "This year we our focusing on building the characteristics that will help our team to be good citizens off the field.  We are hopeful that focusing on the qualities that make people succesful in life in general will then also transpire to success on the field and as a team."  

 

WATCH: CAC Women's Soccer Preseason Webcast 

CAC Women's Soccer Preview originally posted on CAC website. 

YORK, Pa. - After finishing atop the regular season standings each of the past two seasons, Christopher Newport was once again selected as the CAC women's soccer favorite entering the 2015 campaign. The Captains received seven first-place votes and totaled 78 points to earn top billing in a vote among the conference head coaches.

Salisbury (71 points, 2 first-place votes) and defending-champion Frostburg State (65 points, 1 first-place) also received first-place nods, followed by York (56 points), St. Mary's (49 points) and Mary Washington (47). Rounding out the preseason coaches' poll were Southern Virginia in seventh (33 points), Wesley (19 points), Marymount (18 points) and Penn State Harrisburg (14 points).

The parity among CAC women's soccer squads was on full display in 2014, as fourth-seeded Frostburg State captured its second CAC Championship in the last three years with a 2-0 triumph over sixth-seeded Mary Washington in last year's title game. Frostburg State and regular season champion Christopher Newport represented the CAC in the NCAA Tournament, with each dropping tight contests in round one action.

The new campaign begins on Sept. 1 for all 10 CAC squads. CAC play begins Sept. 26 as the 10 teams battle for six conference playoff berths, leading to the championship game on Nov. 7.

Here is a brief look at each team entering the 2014 season:

After earning its second straight at-large berth into the NCAA Tournament, CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT enters year three under head coach Dan Weilerwith extreme optimism as the team returns nine starters from a year ago. The Captains return nearly 70% of their offense from last season, including CAC Player of the Year Victoria Perry, and a strong nucleus defensively, including back-to-back CAC Rookies of the Year, Sam Rabinek and Kira Warner. This season's schedule includes a tough trip to Chicago to face a pair of NCAA qualifiers while CNU will also host defending national champion Lynchburg. CNU is looking for its first conference championship after winning back-to-back regular season titles.

Fresh of its second CAC Tournament title in three seasons, FROSTBURG STATE returns a pair of All-CAC performers, six starters and seven seniors from a 2014 squad that made its eighth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Fourteenth-year head coach Brian Parker has big expectations for the 2015 version of the Bobcats after hosting the CAC Tournament Championship last fall. Seniors Brooke Longo and Jessa DiTullo will help lead Frostburg State towards another CAC title after grabbing All-CAC awards following the '14 season.

MARY WASHINGTON, fresh off a thrilling run to the CAC title game as the sixth seed in last year's tournament, will look to continue its momentum from last season, and will rely on 11 returners and a large talented group of newcomers. Seniors Lizzie WeastMichelle GibbonsLeah Roth, and Anna Brauchwill head an attack that has won at least 10 games in each of the past three seasons.

A young MARYMOUNT squad looks to make some noise in the CAC this year with the addition of seven freshmen to the roster. The Saints return offensive threats Chloe McAuliffe, who led the team in goals with five last season, and Kirsten Campbell for the 2015 season. Head coach Gayle Wilsonreturns key leadership in seniors Erin Harris and Lexi Swartz and junior Rebekah Krasinski to hold down the midfield and backfield for the Saints.

After two straight years finishing ninth in the CAC, PENN STATE HARRISBURG enters the 2015 season with a playoff run as the expectation. The Lions will be turning to three key field returns to support the pieces that moved on from their 2014 season. Alyssa CrowleyLeann Kazawic and Erica Hile will be in good form after very impressive rookie seasons.  Senior Fay Ansary  is coming off a missed season, but should add some additional fire power up top as she did her first two seasons with the team. Kristin Peckman and Morgan Gates will be key returns to what is shaping up to be a very tough defensive line.  Backing them up is senior keeper Samantha Kutcher, Kutcher is replacing the Lions all-time saves leader Mackenzie Gates.

Last season, ST. MARY'S tallied the most wins (9) since 2008 under first-year head coach Peter Krech. The Seahawks began to lay down the foundations for a successful 2015 with a productive training trip to Spain during the first week of August. St. Mary's will now carry the momentum from the Spain trip and will build upon last year's success behind the efforts of a talented group of veterans, including all-conference selections Gillian Sawyer (7 G, 3 A) and Sydney Larkin (0.92 GAA), and newcomers.

SALISBURY comes into the 2015 season with a bevy of experience, returning 12 seniors to the field. The Sea Gulls have practically all of their goal-scoring back, including senior leaders Victoria Luc (first team All-CAC) and Logan O'Meara (second team All-CAC) who combined for 15 of the team's 31 goals last season. Second team All-CAC selection Samantha Beck, seniors Julie Dannenberg and Christine Clark and junior first team all-conference pick Jenny Gavigan bring experience and talent back in the midfield, while seniors Tabitha BrownCasey Arnone (first team All-CAC), Heather Deamondand Jackie Lambergman fill out a solid core on the defensive side of the field. After playing in 14 games and starting in three in front of the net in 2013, junior Alesha Seifert brings familiarity back at the goalkeeper position.

SOUTHERN VIRGINIA will be a contender for one of the six CAC playoff spots. Junior Tatiana Monsen returns after a record-breaking 17 goals last season. Key defender Alicia Blackham also returns for her final season. The Knights lost all-time saves leader McKenzie Cox and midfielder Kora Jewell to graduation and an LDS mission.

WESLEY made a significant improvement in 2014, gaining six wins from their previous campaign, including three conference victories. The squad narrowly missed the CAC playoffs, but qualified for the ECAC Tournament, falling to the eventual champions Arcadia. Megan DeFalco and Kaitlyn Ennisreturn as the top scoring threats for the squad, while Kerri Pagels and Chelsea Marriner will anchor the defense as Wesley looks to continue to trend upward in 2015.

YORK enters the 2015 season with a very young team after graduating two All-CAC selections and the career leader in goals against average. Head coach Vicki Sterner begins her 20th season at the helm of the program looking towards the defense to again lead the Green and White. DefendersChelsea McDowell and Ashley Becker are the Spartans lone returning starters as a large group of newcomers will be relied on to power the Spartan offense. Sterner is looking to amp up the offense after the Spartans averaged just 1.33 goals per game. The defense did their part as they surrendered just 12 goals in 18 games in 2014.

2015 CAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Christopher Newport   (7 first-place votes)   78 points
2. Salisbury  (2 first-place votes) 71 points
3. Frostburg State (1 first-place vote) 65 points
4. York  56 points
5. St. Mary's  49 points
6. Mary Washington 47 points
7. Southern Virginia 33 points
8. Wesley  19 points
9. Marymount 18 points
10. Penn State Harrisburg 14 points