For Immediate Release
October 19, 2011
South Easton, Mass. – Eight schools representing the Northeast-10 Conference appear in the first East Region Women's Soccer Poll, which was released earlier today. Merrimack College is the top-ranked NE-10 school, as the Warriors are currently 2nd in the East Region.
The Warriors (13-2, 10-2 NE-10), trailing only Bridgeport in the East Region, are coming off their best win of the year, as they knocked off The College of Saint Rose 3-0 on Saturday. Merrimack has not lost at home all year (6-0), and has only allowed thirteen goals all season long.
Trailing Merrimack in the regional rankings is Saint Rose. The Golden Knights (12-1-1, 9-1-1), who have won the East Regional each of the past four years, boast a high-octane offense that is among the best in the nation. Saint Rose is currently averaging just under four goals per contest, and has tallied five or more strikes five times already this season.
Coming in fourth in the first East Regional Poll is the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The River Hawks (10-2-2, 9-1-2 NE-10) are among the hottest teams in the country as they've reeled off eight consecutive wins. UMass Lowell has one of the stingiest defenses in the country, as they've allowed only seven goals all season.
Following UMass Lowell in the Regional Rankings is, in order, Southern Connecticut State University (10-3-1, 8-3-1 NE-10), Southern New Hampshire University (8-6-1, 6-5-1 NE-10), Stonehill College (9-4-2, 7-3-2 NE-10), Adelphi University (7-6, 6-6 NE-10), and Franklin Pierce University (6-7-1, 4-7-1 NE-10).
This is the first of three regional polls, which will be announced prior to the field being selected for the 2011 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship. The next poll will be announced next Wednesday, October 26th.
For the complete East Region rankings, see below.
The Northeast-10 is an association of 16 NCAA Division II colleges and universities located in New England and New York that is committed to supporting balanced academic and athletic opportunities for more than 5,500 student-athletes. Each year, 4,000 of those student-athletes compete in Conference championships in 23 sports, making the NE-10 the largest DII conference in the country. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the Northeast-10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
Women's Soccer
East Region Rankings – October 19, 2011
1. Bridgeport
2. Merrimack
3. Saint Rose
4. UMass Lowell
5. So. Connecticut
6. So. New Hampshire
7. Stonehill
8. Adelphi
9. Franklin Pierce
10. Philadelphia
-NE-10-
