Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell

RICHMOND, Va. -- The University of Delaware women’s soccer squad, looking to bounce back from a 7-10-1 record from a year ago, was picked No. 9 in the Colonial Athletic Association pre-season coaches poll announced Monday by the league office.

The Blue Hens earned 46 points in a vote of the 12-league coaches to finish at No. 9, just one spot lower than its eighth place league finish in 2008. James Madison, which advanced to the NCAA round of 16 a year ago, was the pre-season favorite to capture the league crown as the Dukes earned 10 first place votes and 120 points.

William & Mary, a 2008 NCAA Tournament participant, was picked No. 2 with 106 points and one first place vote while Hofstra, league champion twice in the last four years, was No. 3 with 98 points. UNC Wilmington was fourth with 87 points followed by Northeastern (82), Old Dominion (79), Virginia Commonwealth (51), George Mason (49), Delaware (46), Towson (36), Georgia State (25), and Drexel (13). Northeastern also received one first place vote.

The Hens went 7-10-1 overall last season and tied for eighth in the CAA standings with a mark of 4-7, losing seven games by one-goal, including two in overtime.

Head coach Scott Grzenda, who enters his 20th season as the only coach in UD history, welcomes one of the youngest teams of his tenure as the Blue Hen roster features 11 first-year players.

The Blue Hens, who will be looking to return to the CAA Tournament for the first time since advancing to the semifinals in 2005, are led by senior forward Caitlyn Germain (at right), a third team All-CAA selection a year ago and a two-time All-CAA choice who owns 17 career goals.

Other returning starters are Amy Pickard (four goals), Ilyssa Friedman, Stephanie Rinschler, and goalkeeper Annie Bevan (five shutouts).

The Blue Hens will take part in scrimmages at home vs. American (Aug. 18 at 5 p.m.) and at Lehigh (Aug. 22 at 7 p.m.) and Seton Hall (Aug. 24 at 7 p.m.) before opening the regular season at home vs. Binghamton on Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. at the Delaware Mini-Stadium.

AGATE:

Colonial Athletic Association Women’s Soccer Pre-Season Coaches Poll:

1. James Madison (10 1st place votes), 120 points; 2. William & Mary (1), 106; 3. Hofstra, 98; 4. UNC Wilmington, 87; 5. Northeastern (1), 82; 6. Old Dominion, 79; 7. Virginia Commonwealth, 51; 8. George Mason, 49; 9. Delaware, 46; 10. Towson, 36; 11. Georgia State, 25; 12. Drexel, 13.