Women’s Soccer Selected to Finish Third in 2011 NECC Preseason Poll

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Elms College women's soccer team was selected to finish third in the 2011 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Preseason Poll as announced by the league on Monday.

Voting for the preseason poll is conducted by each member head coach, including new member Regis College.

The Blazers return the bulk of their squad which finished last season's conference slate 6-2, including top goal-scorer and NECC first team selection Jennifer Killion (Cambridge, Mass.), and fellow first teamer and NECC Goalkeeper of the Year Kelly Callahan (Monson, Mass.).

Senior defender Brianna Valente (Springfield, Mass.) and sophomore defender Allyson Witaszek (Feeding Hills, Mass.) garnered Second Team All-NECC honors, while sophomore midfielder Gianna Gorneault (Springfield, Mass.), who earned Honorable Mention All-NECC, returns to the field under third-year head coach Kevin Meek.

Here is a look at how the preseason voting unfolded:

2011 NECC Women's Soccer Coaches Poll (first place votes)
1. Lesley - 96 (7)
2. Mitchell - 90 (3)
3. Elms - 79
4. Newbury - 64
5. Becker - 56
6. Daniel Webster - 54
7. Regis - 40
8. Bay Path - 38
9. Wheelock - 17
10. Southern Vermont - 16