CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Lesley Univeristy Womens soccer picked second in the preseason poll as voted on by the head coaches in NECC, released by NECC Conference officials. The Lynx return 16 players from a season ago highlighted by five 2016 All-NECC First Team representatives in Samantha Turnbull, Hope Seasholes, Karlie Rubin, Jordan Mitchell, and Samantha Bessey, and one All-NECC Second Team member in Maddy Kelly. Narrowly behind in second place Lesley University finished with 58 points and two first place tallies. The Lynx will look to move back to the top of the NECC after winning four of the past five titles.
Elms College selected to repeat as the NECC Women's Soccer Champions, collecting 62 total points and six first place nods from the leagues head coaches. The Blazers return ten of their starters led by the 2016 NECC Player of the Year Brie Voight. The senior forward led the NECC, last season, in both points and goals tallying 47 points on 19 goals and nine assists for the year. Elms also features the 2016 NECC Goalkeeper of the Year, Rebecca Molin who finished with a save percentage of .789, while averaging just .054 goals against.
Southern Vermont College finished third in the polls with 46 points total. The Mountaineers will rely on junior Molly Madore offensively and the reigning NECC Rookie of the Year Danielle Biggers on defense. SVC returns nine of their starters and will look to take that experience back to the NECC playoffs.
Becker College finishes fourth in the polls with 35 points, as they return four players that received All-NECC honors a season ago. The Hawk's offense will be led by junior Lindsey Keith who finished the 2016 season with 40 points for second in the NECC.
Landing just behind in the polls is Bay Path University with 33 points. The Wildcats hope to continue their momentum after making it to the 2016 NECC Semifinals, while they return seven of their starters. Closing the polls in sixth is Mitchell College (24 points), in seventh Newbury College (21 points), and Wheelock College with nine points.
Lesley Womens Soccer opens up its 2017 campaign Friday September 1 hosting Eastern Nazarene College.
2017 NECC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
- Elms – 62 (6)
- Lesley – 58 (2)
- Southern Vermont – 46
- Becker – 35
- Bay Path – 33
- Mitchell – 24
- Newbury – 21
- Wheelock - 9
Courtesy of NECC Athletic Communications