Women’s soccer tapped fourth in Landmark preseason poll

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – On the heels of back-to-back appearances in the Landmark Conference Tournament, the Eagles should return to the tourney in 2009. 

That was the verdict of the Landmark's head coaches and sports information directors when the results of preseason voting were released on Tuesday. 

The University of Scranton sits atop the poll with 59 points, followed closely by Catholic University with 57 points and Moravian College with 55 points. Juniata earned the fourth spot with 37 points, followed by Drew University (28 pts.) in fifth place, Susquehanna University (24 pts.) in sixth, and Goucher College (12 pts.) in seventh.

The Eagles finished 9-6-1 last season, 3-3-0 in the Landmark Conference, and reached the semifinals of the Landmark Conference Tournament as the no. 4 seed. Juniata posted three wins over teams ranked in the adidas/National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) regional ranking, and broke into the Middle Atlantic poll for the first time in program history. 

Head Coach Scott McKenzie's 2009 squad is led by three All-Landmark selections from a year ago, including First team honoree Melissa Johnson (Colonia, N.J./John F. Kennedy), a senior back. The Eagles also return four of their top five scoring leaders, including senior midfielder Shannon Pierce (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) with five goals and one assist; and sophomore forward Aimee Radic (Belle Vernon, Pa./Belle Vernon Area), who tallied four goals and two assists during her rookie campaign. 

Juniata opens its 2009 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1, when it hosts Penn State Altoona at 4:00 p.m. on Winton Hill Field. 

The complete poll is listed below: 

LANDMARK CONFERENCE

2009 Preseason Women's Soccer Poll 

1. University of Scranton – 59 pts.

2. Catholic University – 57 pts.

3. Moravian College – 55 pts.

4. Juniata College – 37 pts.

5. Drew University – 28 pts.

6. Susquehanna University – 24 pts.

7. Goucher College – 12 pts.

-30-