New Haven, Conn. (8/23/2012) – Philadelphia University has been selected as the favorite according to a vote by the women's soccer head coaches in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) 2012 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, the results of which were announced by conference officials on Thursday.

The Rams, who received a total of 163 points and 10 first-place votes, return 21 letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 16-3-2 overall record, in addition to a perfect 12-0-0 conference mark en route to the CACC regular-season title.  Philadelphia was upset by Holy Family 1-0 in the 2011 CACC Women's Soccer Tournament Final.  The Rams were ranked No. 10 in the final NSCAA East Regional rankings last season.  Philadelphia returns a trio of players that were All-CACC First Team choices in 2011, including Kelli Kowalewski (Shamong, N.J.), Chelsea Riedell (Gilbert, Ariz.) and Melissa Copeland (Islip Terrace, N.Y.).

  Holy Family followed Philadelphia with 142 points and one first-place vote.  The Tigers return 16 players from last season's team that captured the 2011 CACC Women's Soccer Championship following a title-winning run through the CACC Tournament as the No. 6 seed.  Holy Family finished 13-7-1 (7-5 CACC) last season and were slotted No. 6 in the final 2011 NSCAA East Regional rankings.  The Tigers return All-CACC First Team member Melissa Benson (Rockledge, Pa.), All-CACC Second Team members Kathryn Helkowski (Levittown, Pa) and Megan Tole (Philadelphia, Pa.) along with Dawn Curry (Pennsville, N.J.), who was the most valuable player of the 2011 CACC Women's Soccer Tournament.
 
Georgian Court checked in third with 134 points and one first-place vote.  The Lions return 20 players from last season's unit and a pair of All-CACC first team performers in Denisha Thomas (Trinidad & Tobago) and Farrell Pomponio (Tuckerton, N.J.).  GCU finished tied for fourth in the final 2011 CACC standings after posting a 7-5 mark in conference action and an 11-9-0 overall mark.

Felician was slotted fourth in the preseason coaches poll with 116 points.  The Golden Falcons finished second in the 2011 CACC standings with a 9-3 league record.  Felician returns senior goalkeeper Allie Couzo (Sayreville, N.J.), who was an All-CACC Second Team selection in 2011.

The remaining teams in the CACC Women's Soccer Preseason poll were ranked as follows: Caldwell (113 points), Chestnut Hill (111 points/one 1st-place vote), Wilmington (8 4 points), Nyack (81 points), Dominican (75 points), Post (64 points), Goldey-Beacom (52 points), Bloomfield (30 points) and Concordia (18 points).

CACC teams will hit the pitch to open regular-season play on Thursday, August 30 as three conference teams will be in action.  CACC league play opens on Thursday, Sept. 6.

2012 CACC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll