PITMAN--After capturing the 2009 NJAC Championship en route to a 20-3-1 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament National Semifinals, The College of New Jersey has been selected as the 2010 preseason women’s soccer favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Lions will be seeking their 14th NJAC crown since 1994.

 

TCNJ, which finished second in the 2009 NJAC regular season with a 7-2-0 league record, claimed its fourth NJAC championship in the past five years after prevailing 7-6 in penalties after playing Richard Stockton to a scoreless draw in the NJAC Championship Match. The Lions, who received first place votes on five-of-the-ten ballots cast by the league coaches, recorded four victories in the 2009 NCAA Tournament before falling 1-0 to eventual national champion Messiah in the National Semifinals. Under the direction of 21st-year head coach Joe Russo, TCNJ has produced a 370-42-25 overall record. TCNJ returns a pair of all-league performers from its 2009 NJAC Championship side including junior midfielder Annie McCarthy and sophomore back Eva Gimello.

 

Rowan University, which claimed the 2009 NJAC regular season championship with a perfect 9-0-0 NJAC record, was selected to place second and received four first place votes. Led by 2009 NJAC Co-Coach of the Year Scott Leacott, the Profs earned an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA third round. Under Leacott, Rowan has recorded a 150-44-18 overall record in 11 seasons, including a mark of 17-3-1 in 2009. The Profs return four all-conference players from their NJAC regular season championship squad including junior forward Veronica Rhea, junior midfielder Christie Fink, two-time NJAC Offensive Player of the Year, senior forward Jess Babice, and the reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the Year in junior back Christine Foy.

 

Richard Stockton College, which played TCNJ to a scoreless draw in the NJAC Championship Match before falling in penalties, was selected to place third and received one first place vote. The 2009 Ospreys placed fourth in the NJAC regular season with a 5-4-0 league mark while earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Under the direction of eighth-year head coach Nick Juengert, Stockton has produced a 101-39-16 overall record, including a mark of 14-7-2 in 2009. The Ospreys return a pair of all-league players from their 2009 NCAA squad including junior back Ashley Battilana, and the reigning NJAC Midfielder of the Year in senior Shelley Gibney.

Kean University, which finished fifth in the NJAC race in 2009 with a 4-3-2 conference record, was selected to place fourth and was tapped as the coaches’ dark horse selection. The Cougars have accumulated a 94-94-20 overall record under 12th-year head coach Brian Doherty, including a mark of 7-8-4 in 2009. Kean returns five all-league players from its 2009 side including junior forward Danielle Esposito, senior midfielder Lara Kaminski, junior back Lauren Small, senior goalkeeper Leandra Russo, and the 2009 NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore forward Carly Seidel.

 

William Paterson University, which captured the championship of the 2009 ECAC Metro Tournament, was selected to place fifth. The Pioneers finished third in the 2009 NJAC race with a 5-2-2 conference mark en route to a 13-7-3 overall record. Under the leadership of 2009 NJAC Co-Coach of the Year Keith Woods, William Paterson has produced a 142-86-18 overall mark in 13 seasons. The Pioneers return five all-conference players from their 2009 ECAC Championship squad including junior forward Megan Droelle, senior back Ali Ruddy, senior midfielder Kathleen Maggi, senior back Vikki Cicak, and junior back Ashley Grabowski.

 

Montclair State University, which will be led by new first-year head coach Patrick Naughter, was selected to place sixth. The 2009 Red Hawks finished 9-6-2 overall and finished sixth in the NJAC regular season with a 3-4-2 conference mark. MSU returns a pair of 2009 NJAC all-conference players in senior midfielder Jackie McGrath and senior back Stefanie Elefther. 

 

New Jersey City University, which advanced to the semifinals of the 2009 ECAC Metro Tournament, was selected to place seventh. The Gothic Knights finished 13-9-0 overall in 2009, placing seventh in the conference with a 3-6-0 league mark. Under fifth-year head coach Robert Bielan, NJCU has produced a 32-45 overall record. The Gothic Knights return four all-conference players from their 2009 ECAC squad including junior forward Julia Caseres, sophomore forward Ashley Cunha, junior midfielder Kaitlin Vargo, and junior back Nicole Sarica.

 

Ramapo College, led by 12th-year head coach Arnie Ramirez, was selected to place eighth. The Roadrunners have produced an 81-132-17 overall record under Ramirez, including a mark of 8-9-1 in 2009. Ramapo returns four all-conference players from the 2009 season including senior forward Kimberly Bruno, sophomore midfielder Rebecca Maccia, senior midfielder Melanie Pupo, and sophomore back Susan Hayes.

 

Rutgers University-Camden, which produced a 7-11-1 overall record under rookie head coach Kris Anderson, was selected to place ninth. The Scarlet Raptors return one all-conference player from its 2009 squad in junior forward Samantha Sharp. 

 

Rutgers-Newark, which will be led by new first-year head coach Bill Bustamante, was selected to place 10th. The Scarlet Raiders return a trio of all-league performers from a 2009 squad which posted a 6-11-1 overall record including junior midfielder Liana Abreu, junior back Jessica Gavilanes, and junior goalkeeper Kat Renteria.   

 

The 17th season of NJAC women’s soccer will kickoff on Tuesday, September 1 with nine league teams in non-conference action. Conference play will begin on Saturday, September 18. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Saturday, October 30. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Wednesday, November 3, and the league championship match will be played at the site of the highest remaining seed on Saturday, November 6. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.

 

2010 NJAC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1.	The College of New Jersey (5)
2.	Rowan (4)
3.	Richard Stockton (1)
4.	Kean (dark horse)
5.	William Paterson
6.	Montclair State
7.	New Jersey City
8.	Ramapo
9.	Rutgers-Camden
10.	Rutgers-Newark
First Place Votes In Parentheses