The College of New Jersey has been selected as the preseason favorite to win the 2003 New Jersey Athletic Conference Women's Soccer Championship in a poll completed by the head coaches around the league. The Lions, who have captured the past four league championships, posted a 17-1-2 overall record in 2002 while winning the NJAC Tournament Championship and advancing to the Regional Finals of the NCAA Division III National Championship.

Under the direction of 2002 NJAC Coach of the Year Joe Russo, TCNJ has posted a record of 239-21-17 in 14 seasons. The Lions return four 2002 All-Conference team members in defender Elisabeth Tomlin, midfielders Lynda Schuster and Lauren DiStefano and forward Brittny Boyd, the 2002 NJAC Rookie of the Year. 

Montclair State, who fell to TCNJ in the NJAC Tournament Championship match last season, finished second in the poll. The Red Hawks return four 2002 All-Conference team members in midfielders Stephanie Sabaliauskas and Kristin Weber, defender Gabby White and forward Kelly Dutko. 
 
Rounding out the rest of the top finishers in the preseason poll are Rowan in third, Richard Stockton in fourth, William Paterson in fifth, the coaches' dark horse selection Rutgers-Camden in sixth, Kean in seventh, Ramapo in eighth, Rutgers-Newark in ninth and New Jersey City in 10th. 

Conference play in the NJAC will begin on September 20 with all 10 teams in action. The regular season will end on November 1 with all 10 teams playing their final regular season conference matches.

The New Jersey Athletic Conference has expanded its postseason women's soccer tournament to include participation by the top six finishers in the regular season. The number one and two-seeded teams will receive first round byes.

The first round of the 2002 NJAC Championship Tournament will kickoff on November 3. The tournament semifinals will take place on November 5, and the 2003 NJAC champion will be crowned at the conference championship match on November 7. All tournament matches are held at the site of the highest seed. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.