Women's Soccer selected fourth in preseason poll

Somerset, N.J. - The Bryant University women's soccer team has been selected to finish fourth in the Northeast Conference by the organization on Wednesday.

Head coach Andy Biggs said, "With more than 450 days since our last game, the players and coaches are very appreciative of the opportunity that we have to compete during this spring season.  We're really excited to be back together and training once again. We're approaching the season with the idea that we have unfinished business and can't wait for that first kick-off later this month".

Central Connecticut earned all the first-place votes, followed by Fairleigh Dickinson, Sacred Heart, Bryant, Wagner, Mount St. Mary's, Merrimack, Long Island, and St. Francis Brooklyn.

The Bulldogs are coming off an impressive season where they went 9-4-4 including, an undefeated record in conference play of 7-0-3. The Black and Gold made it to the NEC Semi-final game, where they fell to Fairleigh Dickinson by a score of 2-0. 

Bryant will be returning 60% of their offense from last season and their stout defense that was anchored by the reigning NEC Goalkeeper of the Year Meghan Dalton and Jamie Irwin, who were both named to the All-NEC first team last season. Biggs will begin his sixth season as head coach.

The Bulldogs will make their season debut in a non-conference matchup on the road against Providence on Feb. 21.

NORTHEAST PRESEASON POLL

1. Central Connecticut (Unanimous)

2. Fairleigh Dickinson

3. Sacred Heart

4. Bryant

5. Wagner

6. Mount St. Mary's

7. Merrimack

8. Long Island

9. St. Francis Brooklyn