PITMAN--After capturing their first NJAC women’s soccer championship in program history in 2008, Rowan University was selected as the 2009 preseason women's soccer favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Profs posted a 16-1-2 overall record in 2008 while advancing to the second round of the NCAA National Championship Tournament.

Led by 11th-year head coach Scott Leacott, the Profs were selected to finish first on eight-of-the-ten ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under the 2008 NJAC Coach of the Year, Rowan has posted an overall record of 133-41-17. The Profs placed second in the NJAC regular season with a 7-0-2 mark, but captured their first conference crown with a 2-0 championship match road victory over top-seeded Richard Stockton. Rowan returns five all-conference performers from its 2008 NJAC championship squad including the 2008 NJAC Co-Offensive Player of the Year in junior forward Jess Babice; the 2008 NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore back Christine Foy; and the 2008 Goalkeeper of the Yea in senior Sarah Volkomer. In addition, the Profs return all-league performers in junior forward Michelle Carrocino and senior midfielder Krista Verzi.

The College of New Jersey, which advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament after earning an at-large selection, was selected to place second and received one first place vote. Under the direction of 20th-year head coach Joe Russo, the Lions have posted an overall record of 350-39-24, including a mark of 14-7-1 in 2008. TCNJ, which captured NJAC championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007, returns one all-conference player in senior back Melissa Martin. 

Richard Stockton College, which captured the 2008 NJAC regular season championship via a 8-1-0 league mark en route to earning an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament, was selected to place third and received one first place vote. Under the leadership of seventh-year head coach Nick Juengert, the Ospreys have posted a mark of 87-32-14, including a record of 18-3-2 in 2008. Stockton returns a trio of all-league performers from its 2008 NJAC regular season championship squad including junior forward Leah Pocoroba, senior midfielder Melissa Scully, and the 2008 NJAC Midfielder of the Year in senior Courtney Dougherty.

Montclair State University, which posted an overall record of 11-10-2 in 2008, was selected to finish fourth. Led by 12th-year head coach Eileen Blair, the Red Hawks have accumulated an overall record of 127-79-25. Montclair returns a pair of all-conference players from its 2008 side including sophomore forward Rachel Senyszyn and senior goalkeeper Leah Tepperman.

Kean University, which finished 12-8-0 in 2008, was selected to place fifth and was tapped as the coaches’ dark horse selection. Led by 11th-year head coach Brian Doherty, the Cougars have accumulated an overall mark of 87-86-16. Kean returns one all-conference standout from its 2008 squad in senior midfielder Jenna Godwin.

William Paterson University, which posted a 10-7-1 overall record in 2008, was selected to place sixth. Under the leadership of 13th-year head coach Keith Woods, the Pioneers have posted a 129-79-15 overall mark. Paterson returns a pair of all-conference junior midfielders in Ali Ruddy and Vikki Cicak.

Ramapo College, which posted a 6-10-2 overall record in 2008, was selected to place seventh. Led by 11th-year head coach Arnold Ramirez, the Roadrunners have accumulated a 75-93-16 record during his tenure. Ramapo returns a trio of all-conference selections from its 2008 squad including junior forward Melissa Demko, junior midfielder Melanie Pupo and senior back Mallory Cornett.

Rutgers-Newark, which produced a 9-9-2 overall record under first-year head coach Wojtek Krakowiak, was selected to place eighth. The Scarlet Raiders return a trio of all-league performers from their 2008 squad including sophomore midfielder Liana Abreu, sophomore back Jessica Gavilanes, and senior back Sasha Potter.

Rutgers University-Camden, led by new first-year head coach Kris Anderson, was selected to place ninth. The Scarlet Raptors return one all-conference player from a 2008 squad which finished 8-10-2 in senior midfielder Jessica Leoni.

New Jersey City University, led by fourth-year head coach Robert Bielan, was selected to place 10th. The Gothic Knights return one all-conference player from a squad which finished 9-10-0 in 2008 in junior forward Jennifer Albuja.

The 16th season of NJAC women's soccer will kickoff on Tuesday, September 1 with seven league teams in non-conference action. Conference play will begin on Saturday, September 19. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Saturday, October 31. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Tuesday, 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.