Women's Soccer Tabbed Second in NECC Preseason Poll

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – The Elms College women's soccer squad was voted second in the 2015 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll, in an announcement from the league office. The Blazers received 90 total points, including two first-place votes.

The Blazers fell to preseason favorite Lesley University in the 2014 NECC Championship game, but will be returning 15 players and nine starters from the 2014 team, including their four NECC All-Conference selections, senior Michelle Rossignol (Manchester, Conn.), and juniors Rachel Mick (Granby, Mass.), Rachel Connell (Easthampton, Mass.), and Meeghan O'Connor (Fall River, Mass.).

Lesley University will set out for their fourth straight New England Collegiate Conference Title. The Lynx collected eight of the ten first place selections in the 2015 NECC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll voted on by the conference head coaches.

Lesley will rely on the experience of Hayley Wirth and Lindsey Bos both of whom were selected for the NECC First Team last season. The experience of their returners and new players will have to pick up for the loss of the two time NECC Player of the Year, Hannah Landerholm who graduated last year. Rounding out the top three in the polls is Regis College with 78 points. Regis has experience on their side as they have eight returning starters.

In fourth, is Southern Vermont College with 74 points. The Mountaineers will lean on the strength of their defense and Melissa Mascari the 2014 Rookie/ Goalkeeper of the year. Becker College has six returning starters from the 2014 season, which landed them fifth with a total of 59 points.  

Newbury College with 42 points and Mitchell College with 38 points finished in sixth and seventh, respectively.

Closing out the polls are Bay Path University with 36 points, Wheelock College with 26 points, and Daniel Webster College with 11 points. 

The Blazers will open the 2015 season against Rhode Island College on Tuesday, September 1^st at Leary Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

2015 NECC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll 

1. Lesley - 96 (8)
2. Elms - 90 (2)
3. Regis - 78
4. Southern Vermont – 74
5. Becker - 59
6. Newbury - 42
7. Mitchell- 38
8. Bay Path - 36
9. Wheelock - 26
10. Daniel Webster - 11

ELMS SOCCER