Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Courtesy of MAC Office
WILKES FAVORED IN FREEDOM CONFERENCE
WOMEN’S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
Annville, PA – Wilkes University had been named as the favorite to
win the Freedom Conference in a preseason poll conducted by the head
coaches. King's College, meanwhile, was picked to finish seventh.
First year King's head coach Chris George will look to improve on last
season’s record of 6-10-3 and 0-5-2 in conference play. The Lady
Monarchs feature several veteran players who figure to help the program
improve.
Lisa McMillan
who became the first King's player to gain First Team All Conference
honors as a freshman, then repeated as a sophomore in 2006 will be the
leader for King’s. Senior defender Liz Martin is back along with senior
forwards Annie Drimones and Kaitlin Wilcox. Junior midfielder Catherine
Scerra and sophomore midfielder Sara Coletta also return King's to
provide additional talent and experience.
Wilkes received two first place votes and a total of 39 points. Last
season Wilkes finished with a 13-6-1 record for second place in the
conference. After losing to Scranton in the first round of conference
play and then to Gettysburg in the ECAC Southern Bowl, the Colonels will
look to recapture their conference title from two years ago.
Second Team All Conference players Catherine Simone (junior, forward,
7 goals, 4 assists), Susie Zavistoski (senior, midfield), Dana Lehman
(senior, defender) and Brianna Bertoni (senior, defender) will be called
upon to lead the threat.
Manhattanville was tied for second in the poll with two first place
votes and 35 total points. Manhattanville women’s soccer has had a
remarkable turnaround winning a school-record 14 wins and the first ECAC
Metro Tournament championship last season.
The Valiants 14-5-3 record under Skyline Coach of the Year Matt Paton,
was sparked by an outstanding freshman class that included First Team
All Conference selections Cybil Robinson (11 goals), Bailey Flood (8
goals, 4 assists) and Emmy Moses. Five of Manhattanville’s top six
scorers will return for 2007, including sophomore Kathryn Moore who was
named Most Valuable Player of the ECAC Metro Tournament.
DeSales received 35 points and two first place votes placing them
second in the poll with Manhattanville. Landing the fourth spot in the
conference last season with a 10-10, 4-3 record, DeSales lost a
heartbreaker to FDU-Florham in overtime last season. With the new
season, the Bulldogs look to make a return to postseason play and push
for the conference title.
Leading the way will be 2006 Freedom Conference Player of the Year
Dana Eustace (junior, forward, 15 goals, 2 assists). Eustace will team
with 2006 Freedom Conference Rookie of the year Emily LaDuke (sophomore,
midfield, 6 goals, 7 assists) to head the surge.
FDU-Florham was selected fourth with 32 total points and one first
place vote.
The Devils finished first in regular season play last year at 14-7-2
(6-0-1. Losing in the conference finals, the Devils are looking to once
again be on top. Second Team All Conference forward Megan Sweeney
(senior, 10 goals, 6 assists) will be called on for scoring.
Arcadia (8-8-2) came in fifth place in this year’s poll with 21
points. Making the leap to the Freedom Conference, Arcadia will look to
make an immediate impact. Second Team All Conference selection Samantha
Calhoun (junior, forward) will guide the Knights.
Delaware Valley (5-12-2 (2-3-2) received 18 points for six place.
First Team All Conference player Elise Dauber (junior, forward, 10
goals, 5 assists) and the rest of the Aggies will look to make a push
for postseason play.
Freedom Conference Pre-season Women’s Soccer Poll
1. Wilkes 39 pts. (2)
2t. Manhattanville 35 pts. (2)
2t. DeSales 35 pts. (2)
4. FDU-Florham 32 pts. (1)
5. Arcadia 21 pts.
6. Delaware Valley 18 pts.
7. King’s 16 pts.
First-Place Votes in Parentheses
