Women's XC tabbed third in NEC preseason poll

SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University women's cross country team has been selected to finish third according to the annual Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll that was officially announced on Friday morning.

Coming off a third-place finish last year, the Bulldogs are picked to fall in that same spot at this year's championships. Three-time defending champion Sacred Heart was a unanimous selection to win its fourth-straight title, receiving all nine first-place votes. Central Connecticut was slated to finish second. Saint Francis U. received the other first-place and was picked fourth followed by Wagner, Robert Morris, Fairleigh Dickinson, LIU Brooklyn, Mount St. Mary's and St. Francis Brooklyn.

The Black and Gold welcome back junior Elizabeth Willmonton (Rowley, Mass.) and senior Emily McNeil (Shelton, Conn.). Willmonton finished sixth last season, while McNeil is a former NEC Rookie of the Year.