WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. ? The Monmouth University women's soccer team, the defending Northeast Conference regular season and tournament champions from a year ago, have been voted as the preseason favorite to win the 2008 NEC championship, according to a poll of the league's head coaches.
"It's an honor to be selected by your peers as the team to beat going into the season," said head coach Krissy Turner. "However, we have yet to step on the field and compete in 2008. Expectations are high which they should be but getting results on the field is what we are focusing on."
The Hawks received six first-place votes, while perennial contender CCSU finished second with one first-place vote, followed by last season's runner-up Long Island, which also claimed one first-place nod. Quinnipiac earned the fourth spot with two first-place votes, followed by Sacred Heart. Robert Morris edged out Saint Francis (PA) for sixth. Rounding out the field are Fairleigh Dickinson in eighth, followed by Mount St. Mary's and Wagner.
The defending champion Hawks, who went 12-5-4 last season and 6-2-1 in the league, will strive for their second straight regular season and conference tournament title. Last year's crown was the MU's third overall. Entering her eleventh season, 2007 NEC Coach of the Year Krissy Turner will have to fill the holes left by the departures of 2007 NEC Player of the Year Amy Hoyer and first team all-NEC defender Brittani Heller. However, Turner will lead a talented returning squad seeking to fill those voids, including first team all-league junior forward Andrea Lopez (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township). Lopez finished her sophomore campaign tied for the team lead and ranked fifth in the NEC with 14 points. She racked up five goals, including the lone goal and game-winner against Sacred Heart in the NEC championship match, and four assists. Joining Lopez on the goal-scoring front is senior midfielder Joanna DeMoor (Wayne N.J./Wayne Valley), who finished third on the team in assists (three) a year ago. Also adding fuel to an already fiery offense is second team all-NEC junior defender Shannon Rogers (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa). In 2007, Rogers ranked third on the team with a career-best nine points.
Also helping the Hawks succeed in their quest for another banner year will be senior defender Jaclyn Pember (Northport, N.Y./ Northport), while sophomore Lia Fierro (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn), the 2007 NEC Tournament MVP, registered a 0.94 goals against average and will anchor the team between the pipes. As a rookie, Fierro ranked second in the conference with eight shutouts.
The 2008 NEC Women's Soccer Tournament will take place at the home of the high seed on November 7 & 9. The top four teams in the regular season standings will advance to the postseason event. The winner of the NEC Tournament will receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Soccer College Cup.
Monmouth opens up with 2008 season on August 31 when they travel to Lawrenceville for a 1:00 p.m. clash with Rider.
2008 Northeast Conference
Women's Soccer
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Monmouth (6)
2. CCSU (1)
3. Long Island (1)
4. Quinnipiac (2)
5. Sacred Heart
6. Robert Morris
7. Saint Francis (PA)
8. Fairleigh Dickinson
9. Mount St. Mary's
10. Wagner
First place votes in parentheses
