NEW HAVEN, Conn. - - In its highest preseason ranking since the 2013 season, the Wilmington University women's soccer team was picked to finish second in the 2018 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Preseason Coaches Poll with two first place votes and 145 total points, as announced by the conference office on Wednesday.
Since the Wildcats were votes atop the CACC Preseason Coaches Poll to start the 2013 season, the team has not been voted higher than fourth in any other season, until today. The Wildcats finished second overall in the CACC standings last season, going 14-6-1 overall and 10-2 in the CACC. They reached the CACC Tournament Championship game, but fell in the title match.
The Wildcats only trail reigning CACC Regular Season and Tournament Champions Georgian Court who tallied eight first place votes and 164 total points. They are 14 points ahead of Jefferson however, who finished third with one first place vote and 131 total points to round out the top three.
Holy Family rounds out the expected programs to host a CACC Tournament Quarterfinal contest by coming in fourth with one first place vote and 127 points.
Caldwell came in with 120 points for fifth place followed by Goldey-Beacom (110 points), Felician (79 points), and Post (77 points) who are the final expected teams to participate in this year's CACC Tournament.
Bloomfield finishes just outside the predicted postseason teams with 53 points and in ninth place followed by Nyack (48 points), who received the final first place vote, Dominican (47 points), Chestnut Hill (42 points), and Concordia (39 points).
The Wildcats open the season with three straight home games, beginning in East Region power Adelphi on August 31 at 4:00 p.m. at the WU Athletics Complex. The CACC portion of the schedule begins on the road at Caldwell on September 8.
AGATE
2018 CACC WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL
1. Georgian Court University – 164 points (8 first place votes)
2. Wilmington University – 145 (2)
3. Jefferson – 131 (1)
4. Holy Family University – 127 (1)
5. Caldwell University – 120
6. Goldey-Beacom College – 110
7. Felician University – 79
8. Post University – 77
9. Bloomfield College – 53
10. Nyack College – 48 (1)
11. Dominican College – 47
12. Chestnut Hill College – 42
13. Concordia College – 39