WESTFIELD, Mass. — The 2015 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) regular season champions, Worcester State, were picked second in the MASCAC women's soccer preseason poll, as voted on the eight coaches from around the conference.
The Westfield State 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.
The Lancers came in second with three first place votes for 42 points. The Lancers earned the regular season title with a 6-0-1 undefeated record during MASCAC play. Tsara LeBlanc (Gardner, Mass.), 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. Coming in fourth with 32 points is Framingham State. The Rams finished with the conference season with a 4-1-2 record.
Up next in fifth and sixth are Salem State and MCLA with 29 and 17 points, respectively.
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 2016 MASCAC women's soccer season will begin the week of Aug. 29 with non-conference play. The Lancers open up their season with a home game against Wheaton on Sep. 1 under the lights at Coughlin Field (7 p.m.).
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
Release Courtesy of Emily Diekelmann | MASCAC Director of Media Relations