August 23, 2007

THE COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY SELECTED AS WOMEN'S SOCCER FAVORITE IN POLL OF LEAGUE'S HEAD COACHES

TWO-TIME DEFENDING NJAC CHAMPS SEEKING THEIR 12TH CONFERENCE CROWN

After capturing NJAC championships in both 2005 and 2006 while advancing to the NCAA Division III National Championship Matches in both seasons, The College of New Jersey was selected as the 2007 preseason women's soccer favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Lions, who posted an 18-2-3 overall record in 2006, are seeking their 12th conference crown since 1994.
 
Led by 18th-year head coach Joe Russo, the Lions were selected to finish first on eight-of-the-ten ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under Russo, TCNJ has posted an overall record of 315-31-22. The Lions posted an 8-0-1 conference record in 2006 and captured the conference crown via a 1-0 victory over Montclair State in the league championship match. TCNJ returns five all-conference performers from its NJAC championship squad including the two-time reigning NJAC Defensive Player of the Year in senior back Courtney Krol. In addition, the Lions return all-league players in senior midfielder Dana DiBruno, junior back Laura Delaney, sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Clarke, and senior midfielder Kristen Cubicciotti.
 
Richard Stockton College, which earned an at-large selection to the 2006 NCAA Tournament, was selected to finish second. Under the direction of fifth-year head coach Nick Juengert, the Ospreys have posted an overall record of 51-25-10, including a mark of 15-5-3 in 2006. Stockton returns five all-conference performers from its 2006 NCAA squad including sophomore forward Laura O'Shea, senior midfielder Val Davison, senior back Sharon Davis, sophomore midfielder Courtney Dougherty, and junior goalkeeper Alex Rogers.

Rowan University, which also earned an at-large selection to the 2006 NCAA Tournament, was selected to place third. Under the leadership of ninth-year head coach Scott Leacott, the Profs have posted a mark of 103-35-15, including a record of 13-4-2 in 2006. Rowan returns a trio of performers from its 2006 NCAA squad including junior back Alicia Kavlunas, junior midfielder Kaitlyn Florio, and senior back Tricia Egler.

Montclair State University, which advanced to the NJAC Championship Match in 2006 before earning at at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament, was selected to finish fourth and received one first place vote. Led by 2006 NJAC Coach of the Year Eileen Blair, the Red Hawks, who also were tabbed as the league dark horse, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and finished the season with an overall mark of 13-7-3. Now in her 10th season at the helm of the MSU program, Blair has guided the Red Hawks to an overall mark of 107-60-22. Montclair returns a pair of all-conference players from its 2006 NCAA squad including junior back Angela Martone and the 2006 NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore forward Natalia Sisti.

Kean University, which also earned an at-large selection to the 2006 NCAA Tournament, was selected to place fifth. Led by ninth-year head coach Brian Doherty, the Cougars have accumulated a 67-69-14 record, including a mark of 12-5-2 in 2006. Kean returns a pair of all-conference standouts from its 2006 NCAA squad including senior back Nicole Hauck and senior midfielder Michelle Fischer.

William Paterson University, which posted an 8-7-2 overall record in 2006, was selected to place sixth. Under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Keith Woods, the Pioneers have posted a 111-63-13 overall mark. Paterson returns a pair of all-conference players in junior forward Amanda Kurdyla and sophomore midfielder Annie Wilman.

Ramapo College was selected to finish seventh and received one first place vote. Led by ninth-year head coach Arnold Ramirez, the Roadrunners have accumulated a 58-67-13 record during his tenure. Ramapo returns a pair of all-conference selections in senior midfielder Chrissy Giordano and sophomore back Mallory Cornett.

Rutgers University-Camden, which earned a selection to the ECAC Metro NY/NJ Tournament in 2006 en route to a 10-9-1 overall record, was selected to place eighth. Third-year head coach Tom Greenawalt has guided the Scarlet Raptors to a mark of 22-17-1 during his tenure. Camden returns a pair of all-league performers in sophomore midfielder Jessica Leoni and senior back Brittney Mancine. 

Rutgers University-Newark, under the leadership of second-year head coach Amanda Cobb, was selected to place ninth. The Scarlet Raiders return four all-conference players from their 2006 squad including sophomore midfielder Tanya Groszew, senor midfielder Allison Phillips, senior back Bobbie Byrd, and senior goalkeeper Katie Hastings.

New Jersey City University, led by second-year head coach Robert Bielan, was selected to place 10th. The Gothic Knights return a trio of all-conference players in sophomore forward Maria Alcivar, senior midfielder Katie Feehan, and sophomore back Jessica Irizarry. 

The 14th season of NJAC women's soccer will kickoff on Friday, August 31 with five league teams in non-conference action. Conference play will begin on Saturday, September 15. The top six regular season finishers will advance to the NJAC Championship Tournament which will begin with first round action on Saturday, October 27. The NJAC Tournament semifinals will be conducted on Tuesday, October 30, and the league championship match will be played at the site of the highest remaining seed on Friday, November 2. The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.