NJAC Preseason Poll
Ewing, NJ... The College of New Jersey women's soccer team will enter the 2010 season as the favorite to win the New Jersey Athletic Conference in the preseason poll voted on by the coaches.
The Lions finished with five first-place votes, while Rowan University was a close second garnering four votes for the top spot. Richard Stockton College was third and secured the other first-place vote.
TCNJ is also ranked third nationally according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCCA) Division III preseason poll.
The Lions, who finished with a record of 20-3-1 last season, advanced to the NCAA championship semi-final match in 2009 before bowing out to eventual NCAA champion Messiah College 1-0. Messiah holds the top ranking entering the 2010 season.
TCNJ head coach Joe Russo has reloaded his roster with another strong recruiting class after graduating seven seniors that included NSCCA First Team All-American Briann McDonough (North Arlington, NJ/Immaculate Heart Academy) and standout goalkeeper Jessica Clarke (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley). The Lions return eight starters and a crop of veteran talent that will keep the competition lively throughout the Lions August workouts.
Senior Casey Caruso (East Brunswick, NJ/East Brunswick) returns after netting a team-high 10 goals during her junior campaign along with sophomore Allyson Anderson (Point Pleasant, NJ/Point Pleasant) who notched eight tallies while dishing out four assists as a freshman.
2009 First Team All-New Jersey Athletic Conference performer Annie McCarthy (Brick, NJ/Brick Memorial) will play a critical role in both the offensive and defensive thirds of the field while high school teammates junior Nikki Migliori (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) and sophomore Alison Foy (Hamilton, NJ/Steinert) will solidify the Lions' defense. Migliori is also used as a specialist on restarts.
NJAC rival Rowan University was ranked 17th by the coaches association. The Profs visit Lions' Stadium in a marquee match-up on Tuesday, October 26 at 7:30 p.m.
The Lions kick their season off on the road at Drew University on Wednesday, September 1st. After competing in the Elizabethtown Blue Jay Classic that weekend, they play tournament host (TCNJ Adidas Classic) on Saturday, September 11th against Husson College at 11 a.m. at TCNJ Soccer Complex.
Russo enters his 21st season as head coach of the program and has won three national championships (1993, 1994, and 2000) during his tenure.
NSCCA Preseason Top 25
