Women’s Soccer Picked to Finish Ninth in GNAC Preseason Poll

BOSTON – In a vote by the Great Northeast Athletic Conference's (GNAC) 13 head coaches, the Suffolk women's soccer team has been predicted to finish ninth in the preseason coaches' poll released Monday afternoon by the conference. 

Suffolk, who enters a new era in 2018, garnered 60 points in the poll to finish ahead of Regis (56), Norwich (39), Rivier (32) and Anna Maria (13). 

Nine-time defending conference champion Lasell is considered the favorite once again thanks to eight first-place votes that gave the Lasers 164 points. Johnson & Wales fell in a close second with 161 points on five first-place nods. From there three points separate Saint Joseph's (Maine) (131) and Emmanuel (128) with conference newcomer Colby Sawyer (118) landing fifth.   

First-year head coach Ashley Van Vecthen's roster is youth-driven with nine rookies joining a solid core of sophomores with just a handful of upperclassman back on the pitch for the Rams. The blue-and-gold looks to make its third consecutive trip to the conference tournament this season. 

Action gets underway early, as Suffolk lifts the lid on its 12th season Friday, August 31 against Lesley at James A. Sartori Stadium at East Boston Memorial Park. The 2 p.m. tilt opens a five match homestand for the Rams, which continues the following day, Saturday, Sept. 1 at 1 p.m. versus Rhode Island College.