Messiah College and Eastern University have been selected by the leagues head coaches to win their respective conferences in women's soccer, in the preseason poll.
Messiah Favored in Commonwealth Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Annville, PA – Coming off back-to-back undefeated seasons and NCAA Division III National Championships, Messiah is once again the unanimous favorite in the Commonwealth Conference, earning 49 points in the annual coaches preseason poll. Head coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
The Falcons knocked off Arcadia University by a 4-0 score in last year’s Commonwealth Championship game, completing a dominant run through league play: Messiah scored 40 goals against conference competition, allowing just a single goal in return.
Incredibly, 2010 may boast the Falcons’ best team on paper, as 2009 Commonwealth and NSCAA National Player of the Year Erin Hench returns, as does 2008 Commonwealth and NSCAA National Player of the Year Amanda Naeher. Statistically the greatest offensive duo in the program’s history, Hench doled out a team-leading 18 assists last season, while Naeher pounded the nets for 31 total goals.
All but two of the Falcons’ eight All-Commonwealth selections return from last year’s squad, including league rookie of the year Corinne Wulf (10 goals, 10 assists). Senior Joanna Haqq looks to add support, scoring 10 goals as well in ’09.
The Falcons open the season against Christopher Newport on September 3. The Commonwealth Conference Tournament begins November 3 with semifinal games on campus at the higher seeds, followed by the championship game on November 6.
These are the results of the coaches’ poll:
2010 Commonwealth Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Messiah 49 pts. (7)
2. Arcadia 43 pts. (1)
3t. Elizabethtown 33 pts.
3t. Widener 33 pts.
5. Lebanon Valley 25 pts.
6. Lycoming 19 pts.
7. Albright 13 pts.
8. Alvernia 9 pts.
(#) denotes fist place votes
Eastern Favored in Freedom Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Annville, PA - Freedom Conference coaches selected Eastern University as the preseason favorites for the 2010 season. The Eagles have won the last two Freedom Championships, and have advanced in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past three seasons. Head coaches are not allowed to vote for their own teams.
Coach Mouw's squad returns several key contributors from the 2009 squad that won the championship from the third seed last fall. Center back Amy Achey will be called upon to lead a back line that includes a pair of returning starters in Katie Ruth and Cara Dembrosky. Achey, the only senior on the roster, will have a familiar face behind her as Alysia Goodman returns to goal after earning Championship MVP honors in 2009.
Junior Kristine Zeiset will lead a deep and talented midfield group that includes several new players. Zeiset earned first team All-Freedom honors as a sophomore. The Eastern forwards will have to make up for the loss of All-America forward Jill DiRenzo. Tess Beckwith (9 goals) and Kelsey Doutrich (5 goals) both showed moments of great promise in big games in 2009.
"We are a little older this year," Mouw remarked, "but we are still going to rely on young players. I believe that we will be more consistent in 2010. Our players understand the need to be prepared for every game in what promises to be a very competitive conference race." Outside the league, the Eagles will take on a quality schedule that includes contests at Messiah and TCNJ.
The Eagles open the season hosting York College on September 1. The Freedom Conference Tournament begins November 3 with semifinal games on campus at the higher seeds, followed by the championship game on November 6.
These are the results of the coaches’ poll:
2010 Freedom Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Eastern 47 pts. (5)
2. Manhattanville 41 pts. (1)
3. Misericordia 39 pts. (2)
4. Wilkes 33 pts.
5. FDU-Florham 24 pts.
6. DeSales 20 pts.
7. King’s 11 pts.
8. Delaware Valley 9 pts.
(#) denotes fist place votes