CENTER VALLEY, Pa. – Boston University, the 2016 Patriot League women’s soccer runner-up, edged out last year’s champion, Bucknell, by four points to top the sport’s preseason poll announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The Terriers collected 12 first-place votes and totaled 156 points to be the favorite in the preseason poll for the fifth-straight year, while the Bison picked up the other eight first-place votes to finish right behind with 152 points. Navy followed with 121 points and the rest of the poll featured Colgate (119), Lehigh (102), Loyola (69), Army (66), Lafayette (53), Holy Cross (43), and American (19).
Bucknell senior forward Kendall Ham, the 2016 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, was voted as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Boston U. senior defender Rachel Bloznalis, the 2016 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year, was named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Her teammate, junior midfielder Julianna Chen, was selected as the Preseason Midfielder of the Year.
Ham, Bloznalis, and Chen were joined by eight others on the Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Bucknell and Lehigh led the way with three selections each. Ham was joined by senior forward Maddie Mulford and senior defender Karli Cirovski. Senior midfielder Adrian Vitello, senior defender Alyssa Riporti, and sophomore goalkeeper Sam Miller represented Lehigh. The 2016 Patriot League Midfielder of the Year Eliza Doll and 2016 Patriot League Rookie of the Year Abby Sotomayor, both from Colgate, were also named to the preseason All-League team as was Army West Point senior midfielder Clare Shea.
Voting for both the preseason poll and All-Patriot League Team was conducted by the women’s soccer head coaches and sports information directors who were not permitted to vote for their own team or student-athletes.
Boston University (9-11-1, 8-1 Patriot League) advanced to its fourth-straight championship since joining the League in 2013 but came up short to Bucknell in securing its fourth-straight championship title. The Terriers return a core group of players in forward McKenna Doyle (4G, 3A), midfielder Julianna Chen (1G), and defender Rachel Bloznalis (3G) -- the 2016 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year. BU will face four 2016 NCAA Tournament participants in the 2017 slate, including its season opener at Louisville on Friday, Aug. 18.
Bucknell (16-2-2, 8-1 PL) is coming off its greatest season in program history and will look to continue breaking records when it opens the 2017 slate with Syracuse at home on Friday, Aug. 18. The Bison will look to defend its Patriot League title with the help of All-American forward Kendall Ham (15G, 5A) – the League’s Offensive Player of the Year last season –, first team All-League forward Maddie Mulford (10G, 8A), second team All-League midfielder Meghan Holtz, first team All-League defender Karli Cirovski, and second team All-League defender Jackie Ham. The graduation of the 2016 Goalkeeper of the Year, Jessica Ratner, leaves the question of which sophomore will be starting in goal: Theresa Adu-Attobrah or Dani Kaufman.
Navy (9-11-2, 4-4-1 PL) defeated Colgate at Beyer-Small ’76 Field in the quarterfinals of the Patriot League Championship but bowed out of the tournament with a 2-1 semifinal loss to Boston U. The Mids return a core group of players in third team All-League forward Clare MacAdam (6G, 6A) and midfielder Cadie Higginson (6G, 2A), as well as second team All-League midfielder Natalie Dzhanzhapanyan, third team All-League midfielder Meghan Hegarty, and third team All-League defender Megan Rogers. However, Navy will need to replace goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby (1.51 GAA). The Mids open their season at home against Tennessee on Friday, Aug. 18.
Colgate’s (8-8-3, 5-4 PL) 2016 season came to an end in heartbreaking fashion as the Raiders dropped a home quarterfinal game to Navy, 2-0. The Raiders lose three-time All-League forward Sarah Coy but will look to forward Abby Sotomayor (9G, 1A) – 2016 Rookie of the Year and first team All-League selection – to help lead the offense. The 2016 Midfielder of the Year and first team All-League selection, Eliza Doll, will again head up the midfield, while third team All-League defender Dom DeMarco will help anchor the defense. Colgate opens the 2017 slate at home against LSU on Sunday, Aug. 20.
Lehigh (11-5-2, 5-3-1 PL) made the tournament for the first time since 2012; however, their run ended in heartbreaking fashion when Lafayette scored in double overtime of the quarterfinal at Ulrich Sports Complex. The Mountain Hawks will miss second team All-League forward Tori Pantelao but return first team All-League midfielder Adrian Vitello, first team All-League defender Alyssa Riporti, and second team All-League keeper Sam Miller (0.64 GAA). Lehigh will open the 2017 campaign with Monmouth at home on Friday, Aug. 18.
Loyola Maryland (6-6-4, 2-4-3 PL) will have a young squad for the 2017 season, with eight freshman and 10 sophomores. The Greyhounds will look to juniors Jourdan Ziff (4G, 1A), Julianna Cabrera (3G), Mia Sardella (4A) as well as goalkeeper tandem Lily Andres (0.77 GAA) and Sumer Rahe (1.21 GAA) to help lead them back to the tournament. Loyola opens the 2017 season at home against Mount St. Mary’s on Friday, Aug. 18.
Army West Point (4-12-2, 2-5-2 PL) lost six to graduation, including second team All-League keeper Jordan Cassalia (1.63 GAA), but return midfielders Clare Shea (4G, 5A) -- 2016 first team All-League -- and Sam Sullenger (4G, 1A). The Black Knights will look to seniors Shea, Brianna Nicholas, Madison McGinn, Lauren McGovern, and Kimberly Comstock to help lead the team back to the Patriot League Championship. The Cadets open their season at home under the lights in the newly renovated Malek Stadium against Iona on Friday, Aug. 18.
Lafayette (7-8-4, 3-5-1 PL) will look to make another run in the Patriot League Championship, after making the tournament for the first time since 2011. However, the Leopards take a hit in losing their offensive threats of Kaelin King (2G, 7A) and Melissa Lynskey (9G, 1A) to graduation. Juniors Annika Sheehan and Katie Brannigan (1G, 2A) will help lead the midfield, while Kelly O’Brien (0.91 GAA) will be back in the net. Lafayette opens at home with Saint Joseph’s on Friday, Aug. 18.
Holy Cross (3-12-2, 2-5-2 PL) begins its second year under head coach Casey Brown. The Crusaders return junior forward Ang Seslija, who led the team last season with six goal and an assist, but lose goalkeeper Brooke Holle (1.61 GAA) to graduation. They open the season at home against Quinnipiac on Friday, Aug. 18.
American (1-16-2, 0-7-2 PL) will look to rebuild with a young squad, consisting of eight freshman and eight sophomores, and return to the Patriot League Championship after a year hiatus. The Eagles begin their season on Friday, Aug. 18 against Stetson in Tampa, Fla.
Nine of the 10 Patriot League women’s soccer teams open the season on Friday, including seven playing at home and six being shown on Patriot League Network. Patriot League play begins on Sept. 15, with Holy Cross hosting Navy. The League slate then continues through Oct. 28. The top six teams in the final regular-season standings will compete in the Patriot League Championship, which begins with the quarterfinal round on Oct. 31 and continues as the No. 1 seed hosts the semifinals (Nov. 3) and championship (Nov. 5).
Click here for the complete composite women’s soccer schedule.
Patriot League Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Boston University, 156 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Bucknell, 152 (8)
3. Navy, 121
4. Colgate, 119
5. Lehigh, 102
6. Loyola, 69
7. Army, 66
8. Lafayette, 53
9. Holy Cross, 43
10. American, 19
Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Kendall Ham, Bucknell (Sr., F)
Patriot League Preseason Midfielder of the Year: Julianna Chen, Boston University (Jr., M)
Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Rachel Bloznalis, Boston University (Gr., D)
Women’s Soccer Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Kendall Ham, Bucknell (Sr., F)
Maddie Mulford, Bucknell (Sr., F)
Abby Sotomayor, Colgate (So., F)
Clare Shea, Army West Point (Sr., M)
Julianna Chen, Boston U. (Jr., M)
Eliza Doll, Colgate (Sr., M)
Adrian Vitello, Lehigh (Sr., M)
Rachel Bloznalis, Boston U. (Gr., D)
Karli Cirovski, Bucknell (Sr., D)
Alyssa Riporti, Lehigh (Sr., D)
Sam Miller, Lehigh (So., GK)