BENNINGTON, Vt. – The New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) announced Tuesday the results of its 2014 women’s soccer preseason coaches poll with Southern Vermont College pegged to be fifth.

The Mountaineers finished the 2013 regular season in fifth place with a record of 5-4 against league opponents (6-9-1 overall). SVC was the No. 5 seed in the NECC playoffs, losing to fourth-seeded Regis College by a 2-1 tally in the first round of the postseason.

“I think fifth is a good spot for us,” commented fourth-year head coach Michael Zauzig. “It shows there’s certainly a lot of work left to do. I know that this team is going to work hard and improve upon last year’s standing in the NECC.”

Lesley University, a team that has captured the NECC tournament title in both of the last two seasons, was selected to again finish at the top of the conference with eight of the possible nine first place votes. Regis, with the last of the first place votes, tied Elms College for second in the preseason poll, followed by Bay Path University in fourth.

Southern Vermont opens the NECC schedule on September 27 during the College’s Homecoming Weekend, hosting Lesley University for a 1 p.m. match.

2014 NECC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Lesley University - (8)

T2 Regis College - (1)

T2 Elms College

4. Bay Path University

5. Southern Vermont College

6. Becker College

7. Mitchell College

8. Newbury College

9. Daniel Webster College

10. Wheelock College

(Parentheses denote first place votes)