Women's Soccer Ranked 21st in NSCAA Preseason Poll
Complete Poll
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (Aug. 6, 2015) - With the 2015 soccer season just weeks away, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America announced its Continental Tire Preseason Top-25 rankings for Division II on Thursday. The LIU Post women's soccer team found itself ranked 21st heading into camp.
The Pioneers are coming off one of the program's best seasons in 2014, posting a 15-3-1 record and capturing the East Coast Conference regular-season title. In addition, the green and gold advanced to the second round of the NCAA Championship after defeating Assumption, 2-0, in the tournament's opening round.
For the fourth-straight year, the Pioneers' offense will be led by one of the most decorated LIU Post women's soccer players in the program's history,
Susanne Vistnes (Randaberg, Norway).
Vistnes, no stranger to receiving awards, has seen her name show up on many honorable lists. Last season, the junior was named the Daktronics Division II East Region Player of the Year, while repeating as an NSCAA All-America third-team choice and the East Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
Vistnes, who tallied 19 goals and 11 assists for 49 points in 2014, was also recognized for her efforts in the classroom. She earned spots on the NSCAA Scholar All-America and CoSIDA/Capital One Academic All-District rosters for her efforts.
In addition,
Kristin Brandman (East Northport, N.Y.), the reigning ECC Defensive Player of the Year, will be back in 2015, as well.
As a sophomore, she claimed Daktronics All-America honors for the first time in her collegiate career and paved the way for an LIU Post defense that allowed an average of 0.72 goals against this season, which was good for third-best in the league and 41st in the country. Additionally, the East Northport native was placed on the Daktronics All-East Region First Team, alongside Vistnes.
Head Coach
Mark Dawson and the Pioneers open the 2015 campaign on Friday, Sept. 5 in Bridgeport, Conn., when they take on Southern Connecticut State as part of the Bridgeport Soccer Classic. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.