Women's Soccer Picked to Finish Fifth in AE Preseason Poll

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The University of New Hampshire women's soccer team was selected fifth in the 2011 America East Preseason Coaches' Poll that was released Monday by the league office.

The Wildcats finished with a total of 36 points. Boston University topped the poll with eight first-place votes, garnering 64 points. Stony Brook also earned a first-place vote, totaling 56 points taking second place in the poll. Albany and Maine were deadlocked with 39 points, claiming third place. Hartford (35 points) and Binghamton (26 points) were selected sixth and seventh, respectively. UMBC (17 points) and Vermont (12 points) rounded out the poll.

Last season New Hampshire reached the conference tournament for a record 10^th straight year, as the squad returns five of its top six scorers from a year ago. Included on that list are second-team all-conference selections Chelsea Kuss (Warners, N.Y.), who ranked fourth among league leaders with six assists, and Monique Lamotte (Tampa, Fla.), who ranked second on the squad with eight points on three goals and two assists.

UNH also returns much of its backfield from last season, anchored by senior back Kelly Mooney (Canton, Mass.) and sophomore goalkeeper Erica Correa (Cheshire, Conn.). Last season the duo both collected postseason honors, as Mooney was tabbed a conference first-team honoree and Correa was selected to the America East All-Rookie Team.

The 'Cats begin their 2011 campaign playing host to Massachusetts on Aug. 23 (4 p.m.).

2011 America East Preseason Poll

Rank Team (1st-place votes) Total Points

1.      Boston U. (8)                                64
2.      Stony Brook (1)                            56
T-3.   Albany                                        39
         Maine
5.      New Hampshire                          36
6.      Hartford                                       35
7.      Binghamton                                  26
8.      UMBC                                           17
9.      Vermont                                     12

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