Freedom Conference Women’s Soccer
August 28, 2008
Eastern Favored in Freedom Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
ANNVILLE, Pa. – Eastern University has been chosen as the favorite to win the Freedom Conference crown during the 2008 women’s soccer season by the conference coaches in the annual preseason poll. The Eagles (19-4, 10-0) received 72 points in addition to seven first place votes.
The Eastern women’s soccer team put together an unbeaten run through the regular season on their way to a program best 19 wins and their first PAC title (Pennsylvania Athletic Conference), now known as the CSAC (Colonial States Athletic Conference). On the year, the Eagles scores 81 goals and gave up just 16 while advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in their first visit to the dance. The Eagles ran into another squad with historical intentions in the two time National runner up, unbeaten 3rd ranked College of New Jersey. Eastern fell to the host Lions, 2-0. The Eagles are entering their first season of competition in the conference and Coach of the Year Dan Mouw and second team all-American player Ashley Hackman will look to quickly establish themselves as one of the top teams. Hackman finished the year with 12 goals and team leading 21 assists.
Wilkes (9-9-1, 4-2) places second in the poll with 61 points and one first place vote.
Going into the conference tournament, second seeded Arcadia out scored third seeded Wilkes, 3-2 in penalty kicks to end Wilkes season. The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie through regulation and two overtime periods before the match was decided by penalty kicks. During Coach John Sumoski’s five seasons with the Lady Colonels, he has led the squad to five straight berths in the Freedom Conference playoffs. In 2005 he guided Wilkes to their first Freedom Conference championship and an automatic berth into the NCAA playoffs. Looking to make their way back to the top, Coach Sumoski will rely on first team all-conference defender Casandra Valentin and second teal all-conference Bethany Head to lead the squad.
Manhattanville (7-12-3, 5-5-1) finds themselves in third place in the poll with 59 points.
Carey Hickey dipped a loose ball under the crossbar in the 94th minute, sending Manhattanville to the NCAA tournament for the first time with a 4-3 (ot) win over Arcadia in the Freedom Conference Championship match. The Valiants started the year 0-11-2 against the nation’s sixth most difficult non-conference schedule, but the team with no seniors banded together at the start of league play and capped their amazing turnaround in their incredible 2007 season. Manhattanville closed out their historic season at Westminster, falling 2-0 to the Titans in the first ever NCAA tournament match in the Valiant women’s soccer program’s 29 year history. Looking to repeat as conference champions for Coach of the Year Matt Patons’ squad, Rookie of the Year Holly Nonis (7 goals, 5 assists) and first team all-conference players Bailey Flood and Alexandra Bromson will take control. Also look for support from second team all-conference nominees Cybil Robinson (5 goals, 3 assists), Dawn Belonick and Kathryn Moore.
Misericordia (13-9-1, 7-3) comes in fourth place in the poll with 55 points and one first place vote.
Despite a furious second half rally, the Cougars couldn’t overcome an early deficit and dropped a 2-1 decision at Centenary in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference semifinals. Misericordia missed the PAC title game for the first time in four years. The Cougars landed a spot in the ECAC championships, but their season came to an end with a 4-0 loss at Swarthmore in the first round. Joining the Freedom Conference, Misericordia will look to challenge and make a name in their new conference. PAC Rookie of the Year Kim Suchoski (12 goals, 2 assists) will lead a young squad as they look to make a name for themselves.
FDU-Florham (7-11, 4-4) earns a fifth place mark in the poll while receiving 46 points.
The College at Florham Devils were eliminated from the conference tournament by virtue of a tie with Delaware Valley and Manhattanville. With the tie, Delaware Valley earned the fourth seed because of a head to head win over FDU earlier in the season. The squad will push even harder for post season play this year behind second team all-conference sophomores Brittany Kanickij (13 goals, 2 assists) and Lora Fink (4 goals, 8 assists).
Delaware Valley (7-10-3, 1-3-2) places sixth in the poll with 35 points.
The Aggies, who reached postseason play for the second time in the last three years, saw its season come to an end with a 2-0 loss to top seeded Manhattanville in the conference semifinals. Delaware Valley forward Elise Dauber was named Player of the Year while fellow classmate Christine Del Turco joined Dauber on the first team. Dauber led the team and conference in goals (16), game winning shots (14) and points (39). She also paced the Aggies and was tied for second in the league in assists with seven. Del Turco led the defense with four shutouts.
DeSales (5-11-1, 2-4) comes in seventh in the poll with 31points.
The Bulldogs narrowly missed the playoffs last season by virtue of tie breakers. DeSales will return its top seven scorers from last season including senior Jessica Baker who led the team in scoring with seven goals and three assists for 17 points. Also returning is sophomore Kaitlyn Gover, who earned second team all-conference honors.
Alvernia (6-9-3, 3-6-1) comes in eights place in the poll with 26 points.
Alvernia enters their first season in the Freedom Conference after participating in the PAC (Pennsylvania Athletic Conference). PAC second team player Felicia Sipple will try and lead her team to the postseason.
King’s (3-15-1, 1-5) finds themselves in ninth place with 20 points.
King’s returns second team all-conference player Rachael Donatiello who will make the transition from goalie to defense. This season the Lady Monarch’s will look to improve on their finish in the conference.
Freedom Conference Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Eastern 72 points (7)
2. Wilkes 61 points (1)
3. Manhattanville 59 points
4. Misericordia 55 points (1)
5. FDU-Florham 46 points
6. Delaware Valley 35 points
7. DeSales 31 points
8. Alvernia 26 points
9. King’s 20 points
( ) first place votes in parentheses