The Lycoming College women's soccer team was predicted to finish ninth, according to the 2012 Commonwealth Conference preseason coaches' poll, released yesterday.
Messiah, the defending national champions, was the unanimous favorite to win its sixth straight conference title. Lebanon Valley finished second in the poll, while Stevenson, Arcadia and Elizabethtown wrap up the top half of the poll. Albright, Alvernia and Widener, separated by just three points, occuppied slots six through eight in front of Lycoming. Hood occupied the tenth slot.
The Warriors return an experienced team, as 14 players started at least one game last season on a team that finished 2-14 overall under second-year head coach Matt Dunn. In addition, all three goalkeepers, who each finished amongst the top 10 in the conference in saves, return from 2011.
The Warriors open the 2012 season next Friday, when Lycoming hosts Montclair State, a New Jersey Athletic Conference semifinalist.
