Aug. 18, 2008
LANCASTER, PA -
Johns Hopkins head coach Leo Weil and the Blue Jay women's soccer team have earned the top spot in the Centennial Conference Preseason Poll it was announced today. The Blue Jays earned 98 points and nine of a possible 11 first-place votes in the poll after a conference record third-straight title in 2007. Hopkins advanced to the first round NCAA Tournament last season for the third-straight time and the sixth time overall last season.
Swarthmore, which finished third in the conference last season, was chosen as the runner-up with 82 points and two first-place votes. Ursinus, Gettysburg and Haverford rounded out the top five preseason picks.
The Blue Jays completed the 2007 season with a 14-5-2 record and earned their league record sixth Centennial Conference championship. Five Hopkins players earned All-Centennial Conference accolades. Named to the first team were senior Chrissy McCurdy and sophomore Jenn Paulucci. Paulucci became just the 17th freshman in conference history to earn first team all-conference honors. Karen Guszkowski also earned All-Centennial Honorable Mention honors. McCurdy and Paulucci were also named to the NSCAA Second Team All-Mid-Atlantic Region.
Hopkins kicks off its season on August 29th, facing former national champion Oneonta State in the Roanoke Invitational.
2008 Centennial Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Johns Hopkins - 98 pts. (9 first-place votes)
2. Swarthmore - 82 (1)
3. Ursinus - 78
4.Gettysburg - 69
5. Haverford - 63
6. Muhlenburg - 62
7. Dickinson - 43
8. Franklin & Marshall - 42
9. McDaniel - 31
10. Bryn Mawr - 19
11. Washington - 11
