Women’s Soccer Selected 10th in GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll

GNAC RELEASE

WINTHROP, Mass. - The Suffolk women's soccer team has been predicted to finish 10th in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) preseason coaches poll, released Wednesday afternoon by the league office. 

Suffolk picked up 61 points in the poll, which was voted on by the conference's 13 head coaches, to finish in front of Albertus Magnus (45), Rivier (32) and Anna Maria (13). 

For the first-time in recent history a new conference favorite has been selected in Saint Joseph's (Maine), who edged out eight-time conference champions Lasell by nine points. The Monks received six first-place votes for 159 points, while the Lasers three first-place nods were good for 150 points and second place. 

The Wildcats of Johnson & Wales also picked up three first-place votes to claim third with 149 points with Emmanuel, who received one first-place pick, and Regis rounding out the top five with 135 points and 133 points, respectively. 

In the middle of the pack was Simmons (98), Colby Sawyer (94), Saint Joseph (Conn.) (69) and Norwich (65). 

Ashley Van Vechten is back for her second season on the blue-and-gold's bench. Her mixed Rams' roster of youth, transfers and experienced players will look to punch into the postseason for the first time under her guidance and first since 2017. Suffolk's main scorer from a year ago, Caleigh O'Brien (13g, 1a) returns to the pitch for her junior campaign, with the backbone of Suffolk's defensive unit, keeper Allison Rodrigues (1.58 GAA, .802 save %) back in the lineup for her sophomore season.