PROVIDENCE, R.I.- The Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team begins the 2007 season in a familiar position, sitting atop the Little East Conference standings. The 2006 conference tournament and regular season champions claimed the top spot in the annual coaches' preseason poll, earning all seven possible first-place votes and a total of 49 points. All eight conference head coaches cast a vote, but could not select their own squad.

Under the direction of 11th-year Head Coach Joe Mingachos, the Colonials earned their ninth postseason berth and posted a 20-2-1 overall record, including sweeping the conference circuit with a 7-0 mark, last season. Western Connecticut captured the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with 4-2 victory over Keene State College in the Little East Conference Tournament on Nov. 4.  Mingachos led his charges into the second round for the fourth time in the past seven years before bowing out to Middlebury College. The Colonials are ranked 18th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas preseason poll, while 19th in the D3Kicks.com listings.  

Separated by just three points, Eastern Connecticut State University outpointed Keene State College for the second position. The Warriors, who registered a 12-6-1 overall record in 2006, earned six second-place votes and 41 total points, while the Owls received the final first-place ballot and 38 points. Keene State reached the semifinals on the 2006 ECAC New England Tournament with an overall mark of 15-9.

For the second straight season, Rhode Island College has been tabbed fourth in the preseason rankings, receiving 30 total points. The Anchorwomen produced the program's most successful season last fall, posting 14 victories and a berth in the ECAC field.           

Plymouth State University (25), the University of Southern Maine (20), the University of Mass. Dartmouth (13), and the University of Mass. Boston (9) round out the 2007 edition of the coaches' preseason poll.

The Little East Conference kicks off its 12th season on August 31, when Rhode Island College hosts non-conference opponent St. John Fisher at 4 p.m. The top six schools in the final regular season standings qualify for the Little East Conference Tournament (Oct. 30-Nov. 3).