LIttle East Pre-Season Polls

'PROVIDENCE, R.I.-The Keene State College men's soccer team has been predicted to repeat as Little East Conference champions after a vote by the conference's eight head coaches. The Owls earned six first-place votes and a second-place tally for 48 total points. Each head coach cast a vote, but could not select their team.

Under the watchful eye of Head Coach Dr. Ron Butcher, Keene State College has hoisted the Little East Conference championship trophy five times since 1999, reaching a conference-high six berths in the championship round. Last season, the Owls posted a 15-6-1 overall record, including a 4-2-1 mark in the conference circuit. Butcher led his charges to a 3-0 victory at Plymouth State University in the championship round of the Little East Conference Tournament, recording the program's eighth NCAA Tournament appearance in the past 10 campaigns. Keene State returns nine starters from last season's squad, including National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-New England Region, second-team selection junior forward Alex Horne (Harvard, Mass.).

Plymouth State University, the 2006 conference regular season champions and tournament finalist, enter the 2007 campaign in the No. 2 position, just six points off the Owls' pace. The Panthers received a first-place vote and five second-place tallies for 42 total points. In 2006, Head Coach Rob Wright guided his squad to an overall record of 10-7-2 and registering his fourth consecutive ECAC Tournament berth. The 2006 Little East All-Conference second team pick Keith Whittemore (Holderness, N.H.) highlights a highly-talented Plymouth State squad.    

Eastern Connecticut State University edged Rhode Island College for the No. 3 spot. The Warriors earned the final first-place vote and 30 total points, outpointing the Anchormen by just two points.

The University of Mass. Boston (26) and Western Connecticut State University (26) share the No. 5 position, while the University of Southern Maine (16), the University of Mass. Dartmouth (8) close out the coaches' rankings.

The Little East Conference kicks off its 12th season on Sept. 1, when three conference members take to the pitch. The top four schools in the final regular season standings qualify for the Little East Conference Tournament, beginning on Oct. 31. The Little East Conference champion will be crowned on Nov. 3 and earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Western Connecticut claims top spot in Little East Conference Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-The Western Connecticut State University women's soccer team begins the 2007 season in a familiar position, sitting atop the Little East Conference standings. The 2006 conference tournament and regular season champions claimed the top spot in the annual coaches' preseason poll, earning all seven possible first-place votes and a total of 49 points. All eight conference head coaches cast a vote, but could not select their own squad.

Under the direction of 11th-year Head Coach Joe Mingachos, the Colonials earned their ninth postseason berth and posted a 20-2-1 overall record, including sweeping the conference circuit with a 7-0 mark, last season. Western Connecticut captured the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament with 4-2 victory over Keene State College in the Little East Conference Tournament on Nov. 4.  Mingachos led his charges into the second round for the fourth time in the past seven years before bowing out to Middlebury College. The Colonials are ranked 18th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas preseason poll, while 19th in the D3Kicks.com listings. 

Separated by just three points, Eastern Connecticut State University outpointed Keene State College for the second position. The Warriors, who registered a 12-6-1 overall record in 2006, earned six second-place votes and 41 total points, while the Owls received the final first-place ballot and 38 points. Keene State reached the semifinals of the 2006 ECAC New England Tournament with an overall mark of 15-9.

For the second straight season, Rhode Island College has been tabbed fourth in the preseason rankings, receiving 30 total points. The Anchorwomen produced the program's most successful season last fall, posting 14 victories and a berth in the ECAC field.             

Plymouth State University (25), the University of Southern Maine (20), the University of Mass. Dartmouth (13), and the University of Mass. Boston (9) round out the 2007 edition of the coaches' preseason poll.

The Little East Conference kicks off its 12th season on August 31, when Rhode Island College hosts non-conference opponent St. John Fisher at 4 p.m. The top six schools in the final regular season standings qualify for the Little East Conference Tournament (Oct. 30-Nov. 3).

Owls perched atop coaches' preseason poll

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-The Keene State College volleyball team has been predicted as the preseason favorite to capture the Little East Conference championship this season after a vote by the conference's eight head coaches. The Owls earned four first-place votes and two second-place selections for 42 total points. Each head coach cast a vote, but could not select their team.

Keene State College Head Coach Bob Weiner has steadily watched the Owls program rise through the Little East Conference ranks. Last fall, Weiner and his young charges posted a breakout campaign-establishing a program-high 25 victories and their first postseason bid since 1982. Keene State reached the semifinal round in both the Little East Conference Tournament and the ECAC New England Tournament. The Owls registered a decisive 3-0 victory over Rivier in their first postseason appearance in 25 years to advance to the semifinals.  Keene State returns a pair of Little East All-Conference selections to the fold, including first-team right side hitter Kelly Yankowski (Turners Fall, Mass.). 

 Eastern Connecticut State University has been the dominant squad in the Little East Conference the past three seasons, registering two conference championships in three appearances. A year ago, the Warriors reached the 30-win barrier and posted a 7-0 mark in the conference circuit for just the second time in the program's history. Head Coach Jolie Ward guided her squad to their sixth straight conference tournament victory and second consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. 2006 Little East All-Conference, first-team selection Priscilla Dougherty (Island Park, N.Y.) will set up Eastern Connecticut's traditionally high-powered attack. 

The Little East Conference continues its tradition of featuring highly-competitive teams as Plymouth State University, Rhode Island College, and Western Connecticut State University all share the No. 3 position with 32 total points. The Anchorwomen and Colonials each received a first-place nod.

The University of Mass. Boston (25), the University of Mass. Dartmouth (17), and the University of Southern Maine (7) close out the coaches' rankings.

The Little East Conference swings into its 10th season on Aug. 30, when six conference members take to the court. The top six schools in the final regular season standings qualify for the Little East Conference Tournament, beginning on Oct. 30. The Little East Conference champion will be crowned on Nov. 3 and earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Corsairs and Owls stake a claim to field hockey poll

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-Keene State College and the University of Mass. Dartmouth share the top spot in the annual Little East Conference field hockey coaches' preseason poll after a vote by the conference's 12 head coaches, released by the conference office this morning. The Owls received six first-place votes and four second-place nods, while the Corsairs recorded five first-place and second place tallies for 114 total points. Each head coach cast a vote, but could not select their team.

Keene State College Head Coach Amy Watson has led her charges to a share of four straight regular season championships and three conference tournament titles. A year ago, the Owls posted an overall record of 18-5, including an unblemished 11-0 mark within the Little East, earning their fifth postseason appearance in the past six campaigns. Watson will welcome back six starters and 16 letterwinners from 2006 squad, including Little East All-Conference, first-team back junior Alyssa Rowell (Queensbury, N.Y.), while adding former Michigan University standout Erin Dallas (Marlow, N.H.) to the attacking third.  

Under the stewardship of the 2006 Little East Conference Coach of the Year Nicole Castonguay, UMass Dartmouth is riding the momentum of the program's most successful season, establishing a record 17 victories and an appearance in the championship round of the conference tournament. The Corsairs return a pair of Little East All-Conference selections, including first-team forward senior Caitlin DiCecca (Chelmsford, Mass.).    

Worcester State College edged out the University of Southern Maine and Westfield State College for the No. 3 ranking. The Lancers registered a second-place vote and four third-place tallies for 89 total points, while the Huskies recorded a second-place nod, two third-place tallies, and four fourth-place ballots for 84 total points-outpointing the Owls by two.

Plymouth State University (76), Fitchburg State College (54), and Bridgewater State College (52) are predicted to qualify for the eight-team conference tournament. 

The Little East Conference swings into its 10th season on Sept. 1, when three conference members take to the field. The Little East Conference Tournament will begin on October 30 with the quarterfinal round. The conference tournament champion will be crowned on Nov. 3 and earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.