BENNINGTON, Vt. — On Friday, the 2015 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) women's soccer preseason coaches poll was released with Southern Vermont College chosen to finish fourth this year in the league.
Lesley University, a team that has captured the NECC Championship in each of the last three seasons, was selected to once again finish atop the standings with eight of the 10 first-place votes.
SVC will look to get back to the league playoffs for the fifth straight season under fifth-year head coach Michael Zauzig. The 2014 Mountaineers went 8-11 overall and finished Conference play with a 5-4 mark; that crew not only made it to the postseason but won the program's first playoff game since 1999 with a tight 1-0 victory at Becker College in a first round matchup.
"It's easy to say that we have high expectation for this season," commented Zauzig. "It is our expectation to make the playoffs; therefore, our next logical step is to finish top four and host a playoff match. Our biggest challenge and difference is getting everyone on the same page and bringing everyone together. With 11 new players, it takes time to bring those personalities together. The group has the potential to succeed; that being said, the team will determine their success."
Zauzig returns 10 players from last year's squad to his 2015 team while welcoming 11 new faces. Among those coming back to play for the Mountaineers is sophomore goalkeeper Melissa Mascari (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.), the 2014 NECC Goalkeeper and Rookie of the Year and All-NECC First Team member. She'll be joined by junior Lauren Nesshoever (Rutland, Vt.), another All-NECC First Team selection, and junior Melodie Orrell (Gloucester, Mass.) who was named to the All-NECC Second Team a year ago.
SVC will start the 2015 regular season on September 1 at home, welcoming Mount Holyoke College to Everett Field for a 1 p.m. first touch. The Mountaineers then head to the Norwich University Kickoff Tournament for the second straight year over the weekend to continue the non-conference schedule. Additional non-league games include a road match at SUNY Cobleskill (Sept. 12) and home contests against The Sage Colleges (Sept. 15) and New England College (Sept. 22).
The NECC schedule starts on September 26 when Southern Vermont hosts Daniel Webster College during SVC's Homecoming Weekend, and the Mountaineers will hold Senior Day for their five departing members on October 24 during a home matchup with Regis College.
2015 NECC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Lesley - 96 (8)
2. Elms - 90 (2)
3. Regis – 78
4. Southern Vermont – 74
5. Becker – 59
6. Newbury – 42
7. Mitchell – 38
8. Bay Path – 36
9. Wheelock – 26
10. Daniel Webster - 11
(Parentheses denote first place votes)