Delaware Women’s Soccer Selected 10th in Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Aug. 8, 2011
File Photo Courtesy of Mark Campbell
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RICHMOND, Va. –Despite returning its top two scorers from the 2010 squad, the University of Delaware women’s soccer team was selected to finish tied for 10th in the Colonial Athletic Association, according to a poll of the league’s head coaches announced Monday.
James Madison, the 2010 CAA champion, was picked to finish first in the conference once again, picking up 116 total points along with seven first-place votes. Last season’s runner-up, Hofstra, was picked second with 108 points, earning two first-place votes. William & Mary grabbed the third spot with 105 points and three first-place nods.
With the CAA tournament set to expand back to six teams this fall, Northeastern, George Mason and UNC Wilmington landed in final three projected playoff spots, earning 86 points, 81 points and 69 points, respectively. Georgia State was selected to finish seventh, earning 64 points, while Old Dominion and Virginia Commonwealth tied for eighth place with 40 points each.
The Blue Hens, who went 8-10-1 overall and 4-6-1 in the league in 2010, tied for 10th with local foe Towson. Each squad picked up 30 points while Drexel rounded out the poll in 12th with 23 points.
Back for Delaware this season will be junior Ali Miller and sophomore Shannon Kearney, the top two leading scorers a year ago. Miller capped a balanced season with six goals and five assists for 17 points. In a breakout rookie campaign, Kearney tallied 12 points on five goals and two helpers, earning a spot on the CAA All-Rookie team.
Delaware will have a familiar face in goal in 2011 as Brenna Stemler returns for her senior campaign. Over her four-year career, Stemler has racked up 116 saves, ranking her seventh all-time at Delaware. She will look to keep the saves coming as she is riding a three-game shutout streak entering the 2011 campaign.
The Blue Hens will once again be led by head coach Scott Grzenda, the only person in school history to hold the position. He will enter his 22nd season at the helm needing just six wins to reach 200 for his career.
Delaware will kick of the 2011 season on Aug. 21 when the Hens host La Salle at 1 p.m. at Delaware Mini Stadium.
AGATE:
2011 Colonial Athletic Association Coaches’ Poll:
1) James Madison (7 1st place votes) 116 points; 2) Hofstra (2) 108; 3) William & Mary (3) 105; 4) Northeastern 86; 5) George Mason 81; 6) UNC Wilmington 69; 7) Georgia State 64; 8) Old Dominion 40; 8) VCU 40; 10) Delaware 30; 10) Towson 30; 12) Drexel 23)
