Women's Soccer Tops 2013 ECC Preseason Coaches' Poll
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Aug. 28, 2013) - On Wednesday, the LIU Post women's soccer team was tabbed as the favorite to win the 2013 East Coast Conference title, edging Bridgeport by a point in the league's preseason poll. Sophomore forward Susanne Vistnes (Randaberg, Norway) garnered ECC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year distinction in the process.
The Pioneers and Purple Knights claimed four first-place votes apiece. However, LIU Post's 91-point total was one better to UB's 90. Dowling (75 points), which ranked 22nd in the NSCAA Top-25 Preseason Poll, placed third, with Queens (66 points) and Molloy (57 points, one first-place vote) following in fourth and fifth, respectively.
Mercy landed in the sixth slot, raking in 51 points, and the final first-place vote. Roberts Wesleyan (45 points) took seventh, while NYIT (26 points), St. Thomas Aquinas (25 points) and Daemen (24 points) finished within one point of each other to complete the tally.
Vistnes was a constant offensive threat for the green and gold last season. She tallied a league-high 47 points, off 19 goals, also an ECC-best, and nine assists. As a result, Vistnes was named the ECC Offensive Player and Rookie of the Year, along with earning NSCAA All-America third-team kudos. Her point and goal totals were Top-5 worthy amongst the nation as well.
Head Coach Mark Dawson and the No. 24 Pioneers open ff the 2013 season next Friday (Sept. 6), when they square off with Southern Connecticut at the AIC Women's Soccer Classic in Springfield, Mass. Action is scheduled to get underway from Ronald J. Abdow Field at 7:30 p.m.
2013 ECC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. LIU Post (Four First-Place Votes) - 91 Points
2. Bridgeport (Four First-Place Votes) - 90 Points
3. Dowling - 75 Points
4. Queens - 66 Points
5. Molloy (One First-Place Vote) - 57 Points
6. Mercy (One First-Place Vote) - 51 Points
7. Roberts Wesleyan - 45 Points
8. NYIT - 26 Points
9. St. Thomas Aquinas - 25 Points
10. Daemen - 24 Points