Bridgeport Predicted To Repeat Women’s Soccer Regular Season Title
Central Islip, N.Y. - The University of Bridgeport Purple Knights have been picked to repeat the Women’s Soccer Regular Season Title in the 2010 season, as voted upon by the league’s coaches. For the second consecutive year, Bridgeport’s Linda Velaj (Sr., Forward) has been tabbed the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and senior defender Anna Svensson from C.W. Post was voted the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
With six first place votes and a total of 60 points, Bridgeport earns the top spot in the poll. The Purple Knights claimed both the Regular Season and Championship titles last season and earned a bid to the NCAA Regional. They finished the season with a 16-2-3 overall mark and a 6-1 record in conference play. Bridgeport has also been ranked 18 in the NSCAA Preseason Division II National Poll, released on August 10.
C.W. Post claims the last two votes and tallied 56 points to rank second on the poll. The Pioneers finished the 2009 season with a 12-6-1 overall mark. Dowling rounds out the top three with 47 points and was 13-5-1 last season.
Velaj has garnered ECC top honors in each of her three years, being named Rookie of the Year in 2007 then Player of the Year the following two years. In 2009 she finished with 19 points on nine goals, including two game winners, and an assist.
A three time ECC All-Conference selection, Svensson started in 19 games for the Pioneers and helped to stabilize the defense that led the conference in goals against average and least goals allowed while ranking second in shutouts.
The 2010 women’s soccer season kicks off on September 2. Check www.eccsports.org for the complete schedule.
2010 ECC Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
| School | Pts. | 09' Record |
| 1. Bridgeport (6) | 60 | 16-2-3 |
| 2. C.W. Post (2) | 56 | 12-6-1 |
| 3. Dowling | 47 | 13-5-1 |
| 4. Queens | 40 | 12-5-1 |
| 5. Molloy | 31 | 6-10-0 |
| 6. NYIT | 25 | 7-10-0 |
| 7. Mercy | 19 | 3-9-0 |
| 8. St. Thomas Aquinas | 10 | 3-12-1 |
