CAMBRIDGE, MA -- After finishing undefeated at 7-0-1 in league play a year ago, Lesley has been billed at the top team of 2011 in the New England Collegiate Conference preseason poll, as voted on by the league's coaches.

The Lynx received 96 points and seven out of 10 first-place votes, with Mitchell receiving 90 points and the other three first-place nods.

Lesley returns nine starters from the 2010 team that went undefeated through league play and advanced to the New England Collegiate Conference Championship game. Among the returners are the team's top three scorer's from last year's Lynx, including now-sophomores Veronica Halen (San Diego, CA/Cathedral Catholic) and Jackee Sanchez (Fair Oaks Ranch, CA/Golden Valley) and former NECC Rookies of the Year Kate Ryder (2009, Glastonbury, CT/Mercy) and Jenna Fralick (2008, Woburn, MA/Woburn).

The Lynx open 2011 on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Eastern Nazarene, with the team's home opener coming Saturday against Castleton State. Game time for Saturday's opener has been changed to 4:00 p.m. at Edward Field.

2011 NECC Women's Soccer Coaches Poll

1. Lesley - 96 (7)

2. Mitchell - 90 (3)

3. Elms - 79

4. Newbury - 64

5. Becker - 56

6. Daniel Webster - 54

7. Regis - 40

8. Bay Path - 38

9. Wheelock - 17

10. Southern Vermont - 16