Moon Township, Pa.-The Robert Morris University women's soccer team was picked seventh in the 2010 Northeast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll. Coming off the most successful season in team history, the Colonials return seven starters and 12 letterwinners for the 2010 season.
Monmouth received seven first place votes and the favorites to come away with the conference crown. Central Connecticut State was second with four first-place votes followed by Long Island in third, Quinnipiac, Saint Francis (Pa.), Sacred Heart, Robert Morris, Bryant, Mount St. Mary's, Fairleigh Dickinson and Wagner.
With just four seniors on the roster last season, 10-year veteran head coach John Kowalski led the Colonials to team records for wins (9), Northeast Conference wins (4), home wins (5) and shutouts (7).
The Colonials are headlined by 2009 All-NEC Second Team selection Ayana Davis (Mt. Laurel, N.J. / Holy Cross), a junior forward who is coming off a nine-goal season as a sophomore. 2007 NEC Rookie of the Year and current senior midfielder Kathleen Caggiano (Moon Township, Pa. / Moon) returns to full duty after suffering a late season injury as a junior. She is third all-time at RMU with 47 career points.
Running up top with Davis is junior Rachel Sebbens (Irwin, Pa. / Greensburg Central Catholic) who tallied five goals and an assist last season.
Defensively, sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Olin (New Port Richey, Fla. / River Ridge) is back in net after posting a Colonial record of seven shutouts last season. Seniors Christy Baldesberger (South Park, Pa. / South Park) and Jessica Stubbs (Sewickley, Pa. / Avonworth) and junior Jaimie Morra (Pittsburgh, Pa. / North Hills) will anchor the defense.
Robert Morris opens the regular season Friday, August 20, when it hosts Youngstown State in a 4:00 p.m. match at North Athletic Complex.
2010 Northeast Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Monmouth (7)
2. Central Connecticut State (4)
3. Long Island
4. Quinnipiac
5. Saint Francis (Pa.)
6. Sacred Heart
7. Robert Morris
8. Bryant
9. Mount St. Mary's
10. Fairleigh Dickinson
11. Wagner
