Eastern Edges Keene State As Women's Soccer Favorite
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Eastern
Connecticut State University has been predicted to capture the 2012
Little East women's soccer regular-season championship for the
third consecutive campaign, edging Keene State College by just a
single point in a vote by the eight conference coaches. The
Warriors earned five first place votes and 58 total points to sit
atop the annual preseason coaches' poll.
The Owls are projected to finish second in the Little East women's
soccer race after receiving one first place vote and 57 combined
points. Western Connecticut State University produced the remaining
two first place tallies and 52 points to enter the season ranked
third.
Eastern Connecticut is making its fifth appearance as the preseason
favorite after raising the Little East Women's Soccer Championship
trophy for the fourth time in program history in 2011. Under the
leadership of Chris D'Ambrosio , the Warriors reached double
figures in wins for the 11th-straight season last fall, posting an
overall record of 11-9-1. Eastern Connecticut registered a 6-1 mark
in the conference circuit to earn the No. 2 seed in the Little East
Women's Soccer Championship and a home match in the semifinal
round. The Warriors secured their seventh appearance in the
conference final with a 1-0 victory over intra-state rival Western
Connecticut. Eastern Connecticut edged Keene State on penalty kicks
(3-2) after 110 minutes of scoreless soccer to book the program
fifth's berth in the NCAA Division III Championship. The Warriors
fell at nationally-ranked John Hopkins in the opening round of the
national championship.
D'Ambrosio will welcome back eight starters and a total of 15
student-athletes from the 2011 squad. Last season, Eastern
Connecticut featured the second-ranked offense attack in the
conference, averaging 2.29 goals per game. The Warriors return
three 2011 All-Little East selections to the pitch, including the
Offensive Player of the Year in senior striker Daniela Marchitto
(Orange, Conn.). In 21 matches, Marchitto served as the offensive
catalyst for Eastern Connecticut when she produced 15 goals and
seven assists for 37 points. The Warriors open their 2012 slate at
7 p.m. on Aug. 31, when Eastern Connecticut hosts Fitchburg State
University in the Warrior Classic.
Keene State College is ranked second in the annual preseason
coaches' survey for the fifth time in program history. Under the
watchful eye of Denise Lyons, the Owls posted an overall record of
15-7-3 in 2011, marking the 15th consecutive year since joining
Division III Keene State has earned at least 12 victories in a
single season. The Owls registered a 7-0 mark within the conference
circuit to capture the program's seventh Little East regular-season
title and earn the right to host the conference championship. Keene
State edged fourth-seeded UMass Boston on penalty kicks in the
semifinal round, but the Owls were outlasted in the finals by
Eastern Connecticut. Keene State advanced to the 2011 Eastern
College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England
Championship, where they were defeated in a shootout at Worcester
State.
In 2012, Lyons will return an experienced group of veterans from
the 2011 team that includes nine starters and 16 total players. The
Owls are expected to feature a well-balanced offensive attack as
they welcome five of their top-six scorers back into the fold.
Junior forward Jessica Berthiaume (Worcester, Mass.) paced Keene
State in scoring last season with nine goals and eight helpers for
26 points, while senior midfielder Brittany Croteau (Swanzey, N.H.)
found the back of the net seven times for 14 points. The Owls will
open their 2012 schedule at 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 1, when Keene State
squares off against Lyndon State in Plattsburg, N.Y.
Completing the annual preseason coaches' survey in projected order
of finish in the regular-season standings are University of
Massachusetts Boston (35), University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
(29), Plymouth State University (24), University of Southern Maine
(21), and Rhode Island College (12).
The top-six teams in the final regular-season standings advance to
the 2012 Little East Women's Soccer Championship with the top-two
teams earning a first-round bye and home field advantage in the
semifinal round. The Little East championship match will be held on
Saturday, Nov. 3 at the highest remaining seed. The conference
champion will earn the automatic qualifier into the 2012 NCAA
Division III Championship.
Formed in 1986, the Little East serves as New England's premier
athletic conference for public institutions in NCAA Division III.
Featuring 19 championship sports, the Little East sponsors quality
competition in every season for our student athletes. Our eight
state colleges and universities dedicate themselves to an ongoing
fulfillment of the Division III mission of passion, responsibility,
sportsmanship, and citizenship.
| 2012 Little East Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll | |||
| Rank | Institution | First Place | Total Points |
| 1 | Eastern Connecticut State University | 5 | 58 |
| 2 | Keene State College | 1 | 57 |
| 3 | Western Connecticut State University | 2 | 52 |
| 4 | University of Massachusetts Boston | 35 | |
| 5 | University of Massachusetts Dartmouth | 29 | |
| 6 | Plymouth State University | 24 | |
| 7 | University of Southern Maine | 21 | |
| 8 | Rhode Island College | 12 | |