LEC pre-season soccer polls: Owl women third and KSC men picked fifth

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. 8/25/09 - The Keene State College men's and women's soccer team were picked to finish third and fifth, respectively in the 2009 Little East Conference preseason polls,  announced by the league office on Tuesday.

The Owl women, who return 10 starters, including All-New England third-team players Katie Bradford (Lebanon, N.H.) and Jaclyn Grant (Newington, Conn.), finished third last season in the Little East and advanced to the semifinal round of both the Little East and ECAC Tournaments. Bradford, who led the Little East in scoring with 19 goals and four assists, was also named to the All-Little East first-team.

"I think our place in the poll is fair. That's where we finished last year," said KSC Coach Denise Lyons.  With so many players back and a strong group of freshmen, I think this could be our year.  I don't mind having the underdog role."

The Owls grabbed 52 points and a first place vote in the preseason poll.  Defending LEC champs Western Connecticut State top the poll with six first place votes and 61 points. Eastern Conn. placed second with 54 points. 

Following a disappointing 6-10-3 (2-4-1 sixth LEC) season, the KSC men were picked fifth in the preseason poll with 37 points.  "I think that's rather generous.  I would have picked us seventh or eighth," said KSC Coach Ron Butcher, set to start his 39th season on the Owl sidelines.  "Right now we're at the bottom of the barrel and can only move up." 

The Owls return seniors Peter Kersker (Ipswich, Mass.) and Ross Stanton (Bethlehem, N.Y.) to the squad with a plethora of freshman who are all battling for playing time.

Keene State finished just a point behind in-state rival Plymouth State. Eastern Connecticut received three first place votes and 57 points to edge Rhode Island College by two points for the top spot.

The Owl men and women open up their 2009 seasons against New England College.   The KSC men host NEC on Tues., Sept. 1 and the Owl women take on the Pilgrims the following day on Wednesday, Sept 2.