Long Island University Athletics

Complete Poll and Release

Somerset, N.J. – The Long Island University women’s soccer team was voted third in the Northeast Conference women’s soccer preseason poll released on Wednesday. The Blackbirds were ranked behind Monmouth and Central Connecticut State to win the league crown.

 

Head coach Tracey Bartholomew will look to help the Blackbirds regain their 2008 form when they posted an unbeaten league record. Last year, LIU went 9-8-1 overall and 5-4-1 in NEC play. Senior Kayleigh Morgan and junior Ariana Calderon both return after leading the team with identical totals in points (seven), goals (three) and assists (one). Morgan posted nine goals as a sophomore, while Calderon missed six games last season after winning the 2008 NEC Player and Rookie of the Year awards. Anchoring the defense will be senior Kelly Carter, an All-NEC Second Team pick last year, and sophomore Jennifer Bannon. Bannon played every minute in goal as a rookie and ranked first in the league in save percentage (.868) and second in goals against average (0.65) and shutouts (eight).

 

Defending champion Monmouth collected seven first-place votes to take the top spot in the poll, while CCSU was second after garnering four votes.

 

The top four teams in the regular season standings will advance to the 2010 NEC Tournament at the home of the high seed on November 5 and 7. The winner of the NEC Tournament will receive the league’s automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

 

The Blackbirds open the season at Hartford on Saturday, Aug. 21.