Women's Soccer selected sixth in MASCAC preseason poll

Westfield, Mass.— The MCLA Women's Soccer program was selected to finish sixth in the MASCAC preseason poll announced by the league office today.  The Trailblazers qualified for the postseason a year ago and return a core group of starters in 2016.

The Westfield State Owls have been selected by the eight coaches from around the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference to win the 2016 MASCAC Women's Soccer Championship.

The Owls, reigning MASCAC Tournament Champs, claimed four of the seven first place votes for 46 points. They finished last season 5-1-1 in the MASCAC on their way to the tournament title. Returning for the Owls is 2015 All-Conference honoree Kate Matroni who led the team with 13 points on five goals and three assists last season while also netting a game-winning goal.

2015 MASCAC regular season champion Worcester State is next in second with three first place votes for 42 points. The Lancers earned the regular season title with a 6-0-1 record during MASCAC play. Tsara LeBlanc, the 2015 MASCAC Rookie of the Year, is back on the pitch after tallying the second most goals (9) with four of the being game-winners, the most in the conference.

In third receiving the final first place vote for 36 points is Bridgewater State. The Bears were 5-2 during conference play last season. Returning for Bridgewater State between the pipes is Lauren DeSousa. The 2015 Second Team All-Conference honoree was second in the league in wins (10) and shutouts (7) while also tallying the third best goals against average (1.11) and save percentage (.828).

Coming in fourth with 32 points is Framingham State. The Rams finished with the conference season with a 4-1-2 record. All-Conference honoree Angela Pallotta is back for Framingham State after netting two goals and four assists for eight points during the 2015 season.

Up next in fifth and sixth are Salem State and MCLA with 29 and 17 points, respectively. The Vikings tallied three wins during their MASCAC regular season campaign. Ashley Leboeuf returns for Salem State after leading the Vikings with 15 points on seven goals and one assist. The Trailblazers closed out the 2015 league schedule with a win. Natalie Caney, 2015 Second Team All-Conference honoree, led the team with two goals and two assists for six points while also netting a game-winning goal.

Rounding out the 2015 MASCAC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll are Fitchburg State and Massachusetts Maritime in seventh and eighth with 15 and 7 points, respectively. The Falcons earned one win last season during conference play. Goalie Morgan Steele returns for Fitchburg State after topping the MASCAC in saves (133) and fifth in the save percentage (.796). Aoife Callinan is back for the Buccaneers. During the 2015, she tallied five goals and three assists for 13 points.

The 2016 MASCAC women's soccer season will begin the week of August 29 with non-conference play.

2016 MASCAC Women's Soccer Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

1. Westfield State (4) 46 points
2. Worcester State (3) 42 points
3. Bridgewater State (1) 36 points
4. Framingham State 32 points
5. Salem State 29 points
6. MCLA 17 points
7. Fitchburg State 15 points
8. Massachusetts Maritime 7 points