EDISON, NJ – Following its first-ever conference tournament championship and NCAA appearance last season, the Monmouth University softball team was selected to repeat in the 2019 MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced Thursday morning.

"It's just a respect for the program," said Monmouth head coach Shannon Salsburg. "To have the respect of our peers is fantastic, but all it means is that last year's team was good. It doesn't really mean much this year, as we don't know what anyone else has. We appreciate the respect, but there's a long season to be had."

The Hawks received six of 11 first place votes, and sat atop the league with 112 total points. Last year's runner-up Fairfield received three first place votes and compiled 107 total points. Marist was placed in third, followed by Manhattan, Siena, and Iona.

Last season, the Hawks won their first Regular Season Championship since 1999 after registering a 19-1 MAAC record, which broke the record for the most conference wins in team and MAAC history. Salsburg was named MAAC Coach of the Year, and the team headed into their NCAA Regionals matchup with #10 Tennessee having won 24 of their last 25 games.

Monmouth won all three games in the conference tournament to earn the historic tournament title, including a 14-inning marathon against #2 seeded Fairfield in the semifinals. The team finished the season with a 32-16 record, which is the most wins in a single season since 2000. Monmouth went on a 13-game winning streak heading into the NCAA Tournament, which ties a program record.

The Blue & White return six of 10 starters from last season, including All-MAAC First Team selection Amber Wozniak. Juniors Sam Tomasetti and Kayla Rosado also return after earning All-MAAC Second Team honors a season ago.

The Hawks lose some key players to graduation, including 2018 MAAC Pitcher of the Year Amanda Riley, who is in the top-3 in program history for wins, strikeouts, games played, starts, innings pitched, and saves. All-MAAC First Team selections Katie Baron and Alex Holzman, as well as All-MAAC Second Team outfielder Chloe Howerth also graduated.

Monmouth will open its 2019 campaign on Friday, February 15 at EMU's Madeira Beach Invitational in Florida. The Hawks open conference play on March 30, when they host Canisius.
 
Preseason Poll

Rank	School	Total Points
1	Monmouth (6)	112
2	Fairfield (3)	107
3	Marist (1)	99
4	Manhattan	72
5	Siena	67
6	Iona	63
7	Canisius	52
7	Quinnipiac (1)	52
9	Niagara	51
10	Rider	39
11	Saint Peter's	12

 
Player of the Year
Courtney Hankins, Fairfield
 
Catcher
Claire Oberdorf, Marist
 
Designated Player
Elyse Cuttic, Rider
 
Infielders
Caroline Baratta, Marist
Madysen Cossack, Siena
Courtney Hankins, Fairfield
Lauren Pitney, Manhattan
 
Outfielders
Erin Larsen, Quinnipiac
Ali Milam, Marist
Kara Paradowski, Canisius
 
Pitchers
Megan Beiermeister, Marist
Marnie Skinner, Iona
 
Utility
Lauren Castro, Canisius