CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. - Following a 2016 campaign that saw the LIU Post women's soccer team finish with an overall record of 15-4-2 and a 6-1-1 record in East Coast Conference games, the Pioneers were predicted to finish second in the ECC in the annual Preseason Coaches' Poll.

Bridgeport was predicted to capture a third-straight ECC title. Mercy, Roberts Wesleyan and Molloy make up the remaining top five. Queens, NYIT, Daemen and St. Thomas Aquinas round out the poll.

The Pioneers, who enter 2017 ranked No. 18 in the United Soccer Coaches poll (formerly NSCAA), finished the 2016 season ranked 18th in the NSCAA poll after appearing in the ECC championship game for the first time since 2010 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. The NCAA Tournament bid was the sixth in the past nine years under Head Coach Mark Dawson.

The Pioneers were stellar on defense in 2016, allowing the fewest goals (12) of any team in the ECC. Additionally, the green and gold posted a league-best 11 shutouts and limited the opposition to a minuscule 0.56 goals-against average.

LIU Post returns its top scorer from a year ago in Andrea Huntzinger, who tallied seven goals and five assists for a 19-point total. Huntzinger was showered with postseason awards, earning All-ECC Second Team praise and NSCAA All-East Region First Team recognition. Additionally, Alice Schonfeldt, who tied for third on the team with four goals, is back for another year.

In goal, junior Hillevi Eklow returns after a sophomore campaign that featured All-ECC Second Team and NSCAA All-East Region Third Team accolades. The Varobacka, Sweden native led the ECC in goals against average (0.57) and save percentage (.870).

The Pioneers open the 2017 season on Friday, Sept. 1, taking on Southern Connecticut State in Springfield, Mass. 

2017 ECC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll

    School                    Pts.    2016 Record

1. Bridgeport (6)         75 18-4-0 (8-0-0 ECC)

2. LIU Post (2)            72 15-4-2 (6-1-1 ECC)

3. Mercy (1)                63 12-5-1 (5-2-1 ECC)

4. R. Wesleyan            51 10-5-2 (5-2-1 ECC)

5. Molloy                    47 7-8-2 (4-3-1 ECC)

6. Queens                    29 4-12-1 (1-6-1 ECC)

7. NYIT                      26 6-7-0 (3-5-0 ECC)

8. Daemen                  25 4-10-2 (1-6-1 ECC)

9. STAC                     17 3-13-0 (0-8-0 ECC)

( ) - first place votes