BU Picked to Win America East

A Look at the Local America East Women's Teams

August 18, 2008

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — For the fifth-consecutive year, Boston University has been chosen as the preseason favorite to win the America East Women’s Soccer Championship, as determined by a vote of the conference’s head coaches.

The Terriers, the defending league champion, were a unanimous selection, receiving all eight first-place votes (coaches were not permitted to vote for their own team) for 64 points, while University of New Hampshire, co-regular season champions in 2007, finished second with 52 points.

Stony Brook University was tabbed third (46 points), while University of Maine followed closely in fourth (45). University of Hartford was chosen fifth (40), followed by Binghamton University (26), University at Albany (23), University of Vermont (19) and UMBC (9).

BU (11-7-3, 6-1-1) became the first America East women’s soccer squad to win the conference title on the road since 1996, downing New Hampshire, 2-1, in last year’s title game to earn its third straight NCAA appearance. The Terriers, who were edged by Wake Forest, 2-1, in the College Cup, return 21 players and nine starters from that squad, including the 2007 America East Defender of the Year Casey Brown and first-team all-conference selections Marisha Schumacher-Hodge and Emily Pallotta.

New Hampshire (11-7-2, 6-1-1) shared the regular-season crown with Boston U., the first time in 17 seasons UNH finished the regular-season in first place. The Wildcats, who led the league with 1.46 goals per game, return their two most potent scorers from last year’s squad. Michelle Sheehan, the 2007 Striker of the Year, scored a conference-best 11 goals and Caitlin Whelan, the 2007 Midfielder of the Year, had a league-best seven assists.

Maine (6-8-3, 4-3-1) looks to improve on its fifth-place finish from a year ago and return all but two players from the 2007 roster. One of those departures is Laura Harper, a two-time, first-team all-league choice who scored 25 career goals. Second-team selection Laura Martel (6 goals, 1 assist in 2007) will pace the offense, while senior goalkeeper Jasmine Phillips (0.90 GAA, .814 save percentage) will lead a defense that allowed just 0.89 goals per game last season.

Hartford (7-6-5, 5-1-2), the 2006 champion, will be in search of its 11th league title in 2008. The Hawks bring back 13 players from last year’s squad, including three all-conference selections. Laura Guigli and Kacey Busque will be asked to lead the attack. The pair combined for five goals and four assists in 2007. The Hawks will have to replace the output of Meagan Riemer, the 2006 Striker of the Year, and Elizabeth Cook, the 2006 Goalkeeper of the Year.

Vermont (3-14-1, 2-6-0) will look to return to the America East Championship and claim its first league title since 1996 under new head coach, Kwame Lloyd. The Catamounts return 21 players, including 10 starters from last year’s squad. Seniors Kaitlin Francis and Emilie Rowe, both second-team all-conference selection in 2006, will lead the team, along with junior goalkeeper Eliza Bradley, an all-rookie choice in 2006. Jessica Becker, an all-rookie honoree in 2007, tied for the team-lead with 12 points during her freshman campaign.

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