CAMBRIDGE, Mass. ? For the fourth-consecutive year, Boston University has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win the America East Women’s Soccer Championship, according to a vote of the conference’s head coaches. The Terriers were a unanimous choice receiving all eight first-place votes (coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team) for 64 points to outpace the nine conference teams, defending champion University of Hartford garnered the final first-place vote and finished a close second with 54 points. Complete Poll...
University of Maine was third (51 points), Binghamton University (38) and University of New Hampshire (38) tied for fourth, University of Vermont (28) is tabbed sixth and Stony Brook University (25) seventh. UMBC (13) and University at Albany (12) round out the nine-team poll.
The top six teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA College Cup.
Boston University (13-5-3 overall, 6-1-1 America East in 2006) became just the second women’s soccer team in the conference’s history to earn an at large bid into the NCAA tournament. After falling to Maine in the America East Champioship semifinals, the Terriers earned a spot in the NCAA College Cup, falling 3-0 to cross-town rival Boston College. Under the direction of Head Coach Nancy Feldman, Boston U. notched marquee non-conference wins over nationally ranked opponents Boston College and Santa Clara. The Terriers, who were among those teams receiving votes in the NSCAA preseason poll, return America East Midfielder of the Year Marisha Schumacher-Hodge and fellow first-teamer Corie Halasz.
Reigning America East champions Hartford (10-9-2, 6-0-2) looks to defend its title this season. The Hawks, under the direction of 2006 Coach of the Year John Natale, took the league by storm to capture their fifth America East title since 1997. Led by the 2006 America East Striker of the Year and Championship Most Outstanding Player Meagan Riemer, Hartford has a league-best four first-team all-conference players returning including 2006 Goalkeeper of the Year Liz Cook.
Maine (14-4-2, 5-3-0) posted a league-best 14 overall wins a year ago and were ranked among the top programs in New England for most of the year. The Black Bears, who finished in third place in 2006 and advanced to the championship title game, return first-team all-conference honoree Laura Harper. Also among the list of top returners is junior goalkeeper Jasmine Phillips, who was 14-4-2 a year ago with 12 shutouts. She finished second in the nation in goals against average and third in save percentage.
Binghamton (7-8-3, 4-4-0), the 2004 America East Champion, has nine starters and 18 letterwinners returning. The Bearcats, who have appeared in the last three America East Championships, look to get back to the tournament this season as they are led by first-team all-conference returnee Tricia Reed and all-rookie defender Nicole Montoya.
New Hampshire (6-11-1, 4-4-0) continued its streak of postseason appearance as they advanced to the America East Championship for the sixth-straight season a year ago. While the Wildcats say farewell to second-team midfielder Hillary Mefferd and veteran goalkeeper Lynn Gugliuzza, they return a depth of talent including all-rookie honoree Shaunna Kaplan.
After missing the America East Championship for seven years, Vermont (5-10-3, 3-3-2) has now strung together back-to-back appearances in the tournament. The Catamounts used an overtime win in the final day of the regular season to secure their spot in last year’s tournament. Vermont returns tremendous depth from a year ago, including second-team all-conference players Kaitlin Francis and Emilie Rowe and all-rookie honoree Eliza Bradley.
Stony Brook (8-7-2, 3-4-1) surged out of the gate a year ago winning four of its first five games, but struggled down the stretch just missing out on the postseason. Like many other teams around the league, the Seawolves have several talented players returning, including second-team all-conference players Brooke Barbuto and Jackie Timmes. In addition, Marisa Viola, an all-rookie selection a year ago, could emerge as one of the league’s top goalkeepers.
UMBC (4-13-1, 0-8-0) opened the season 3-2-1 over the first six games, but finished by winning just one of its final 12 games. Second-year Head Coach Tara Koleski brought in a large recruiting class of 10 freshmen for the 2007 season. The newcomers will join the 16 returning players.
Albany (5-13-1, 2-6-0) made strides in head coach Mary-Frances Monroe’s first season at the helm. The Great Danes went 5-13-1 overall, their most victories as a Division I program, and broke a 31-match skid in conference play. Diana Barrera (6 goals, 3 assists) and Jacklyn Rosada (6 goals, 2 assists) helped lead the upswing.