Women’s soccer holds seventh spot in NEC Preseason Poll

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's soccer team tabs seventh in the annual Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll, as announced by the league office on Monday.

The Black and Gold look to make a run at the conference tournament under Bryant first-year head coach Andy Biggs. New Bulldog leadership could be the difference in close games, with three of Bryant's four conference losses decided by one goal.

The Bulldogs finished the 2014 season with a 4-13-2 overall record and 2-4-2 conference mark.

What would result in a repeat of the 2014 conference title game, Central Connecticut is picked to repeat as NEC Champions after receiving six first-place votes, with Fairleigh Dickinson scooping up the remaining three votes. In a similar trend, Saint Francis U. and Wagner are predicted to finish in the same position as last year at third and fourth.

Sacred Heart pulled out the No. 5 spot, while LIU Brooklyn finished in sixth. Bryant notched the seventh place, while Robert Morris and Mount St. Mary's rounded out the poll.

The Bulldogs will start their quest for their first appearance in the NEC playoffs on Friday, August 21 against Akron University at FirstEnergy Stadium in Akron, Ohio.