Moon Township, Pa.?The Robert Morris University women's soccer team, under the direction of eighth-year head coach John Kowalski, was selected sixth in the 2008 Northeast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches? Poll. The Colonials were 7-10-2 in 2007 and tied for seventh in the NEC with a 4-4-1 record.
Monmouth, the defending conference champions, collected six first-place votes as the preseason favorite to win the conference. Central Connecticut State was second followed by Long Island in third. Quinnipiac had two first-place votes but were fourth overall in the poll. Sacred Heart is fifth followed by Robert Morris, Saint Francis (Pa.), Fairleigh Dickinson, Mount St. Mary's and Wagner.
Robert Morris returns eight starters to a team that finished with the second most wins in team history and went 5-1-2 at home. Sophomore Kathleen Caggiano (Moon Township, Pa. / Moon), last season's conference Rookie of the Year and an All-NEC First Team selection, highlights the group of returnees. Caggiano led the league in points (26) and goals (10) and was second with six assists. Joining her on the attack is senior Brenda Sasu (Gaithersburg, Md. / Quince Orchard), who had four goals and two assists last season, and junior Daneen Stevenato (North York, Ontario / Newtonbrook), who scored two goals and had three assists.
The Colonials will have three seniors starting across the backline, giving them experience in front of a new goaltender. Seniors Heather Niznik (Fonthill, Ontario / E.L. Crossley), Emily Shock (Latrobe, Pa. / Greater Latrobe) and Jessica Weary (Enola, Pa. / East Pennsboro) anchor the defense. Senior Caitlin Dilal (Rochester, N.Y. / Our Lady of Mercy) is the frontrunner to earn the starting job in goal.
The Colonials open the season Thursday, Aug. 28, when they host Youngstown State in a 5:00 p.m. match.
2008 Northeast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
(First place votes in parentheses)
1. Monmouth (6)
2. Central Connecticut State (1)
3. Long Island (1)
4. Quinnipiac (1)
5. Sacred Heart
6. Robert Morris
7. Saint Francis (Pa.)
8. Fairleigh Dickinson
9. Mount St. Mary's
10. Wagner
