Women's Soccer Tabbed As Preseason Favorite
Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)
ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Elms College women's soccer team has been selected as the favorite to claim the 2017 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Championship in the 2017 NECC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, announced by the league office Thursday. The Blazers received 62 total points, including six first-place votes in the annual coaches' poll.
The Blazers are returning 18 players, including 10 starters, from the 2016 NECC Championship squad who set a new program record with an 18-4-1 record, featuring a perfect 9-0 mark in conference action. Elms brings back seven All-Conference selections, including 2016 NECC Player of the Year senior Brie Voight (Springfield, Mass.) and 2016 Goalkeeper of the Year sophomore Rebecca Molin (West Hartford, Conn.), along with First Team selections seniors Jackie Soucia (Belchertown, Mass.) and Silvana Tellerico (Southington, Conn.). As a team, Elms led the NECC in goals (68) and goals against average (0.65), and ranked second in assists (48) and points (184).
The Blazers kick off the 2017 season with their home opener against Albertus Magnus Friday, September 1st at 7:00 p.m.
Narrowly behind in second place is Lesley University who finished with 58 points and two first place tallies. The Lynx will look to move back to the top of the NECC after winning four of the past five titles.
The Lynx return 16 players from a season ago highlighted by their 2016 All-NECC First Team representative, sophomore Jordan Mitchell. Mitchell finished the 2016 season ranked third with 33 points including 17 points in NECC play.
Southern Vermont College finished third in the polls with 46 points total. The Mountaineers will rely on junior Molly Madore offensively and the reigning NECC Rookie of the Year Danielle Biggers on defense. SVC returns nine of their starters and will look to take that experience back to the NECC playoffs.
Becker College finishes fourth in the polls with 35 points, as they return four players that received All-NECC honors a season ago. The Hawk's offense will be led by junior Lindsey Keith who finished the 2016 season with 40 points for second in the NECC.
Landing just behind in the polls is Bay Path University with 33 points. The Wildcats hope to continue their momentum after making it to the 2016 NECC Semifinals, while they return seven of their starters.
Closing the polls in sixth is Mitchell College (24 points), in seventh Newbury College (21 points), and Wheelock College with nine points.
Most NECC teams will begin their seasons with nonconference match ups on Friday, September 1st. All NECC teams begin conference play on Saturday, September 16th.
2017 NECC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Elms - 62 (6)
2. Lesley - 58 (2)
3. Southern Vermont - 46
4. Becker - 35
5. Bay Path - 33
6. Mitchell - 24
7. Newbury - 21
8. Wheelock - 9
Source: (NECC Athletics)
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