Endicott Women's Soccer Tabbed 2nd in CCC Preseason Poll

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.-  The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) released their women's soccer preseason coaches poll Monday morning and Endicott earned second place with 87 points and one first place vote.  Defending CCC champs, Roger Williams, received the first place nod by collecting seven first place votes and a total of 97 points. Gordon, the 2012 runner-up, claimed third with 84 points and garnered the last two first place votes, while Eastern Nazarene and the University of New England rounded out the top five with 64 and 63 points respectively.

The women's soccer team is approaching the 2013 season with one thing in mind; unfinished business.  After a 14-5-1 overall record, most teams wouldn't be left saying that there was unfinished business to take care of the following year.  This isn't most teams though.  With a banner season in their rearview mirror, the women's soccer team is quickly gearing up for what they hope will be another year that rewrites the record books.  While the Gulls claimed their first ever ECAC DIII New England Championship in 2012 by blanking top seeded St. Joseph's of Connecticut 2-0 in the title game, the team realizes that it isn't the banner they set out to raise each and every year.

Endicott advanced to the ECAC tournament after a tough semifinal loss to Roger Williams on penalty kicks.  The two teams qualified for the CCC tournament with identical 7-1-1 conference records but RWU won the tie-breaker and #2 seed which allowed them to host.  Once in the ECAC tournament, Endicott, the #3 seed again, hosted #4 Emmanuel and dispatched them 2-0 to advance to the ECAC semifinal against #2 Keene State.  Down 1-0 at half time, the Gulls were able to dig down and score two quick goals which propelled them to a 3-1 win over the Owls and a championship matchup against the Blue Jays of St. Joseph's. 

2012 marked the first time in 12 years that the Blue and Green didn't play in the CCC title game.  That stat alone will provide the fuel for the fire that burns inside ever returner from last year's squad.  Leadership from the likes of Lexi Dussi (Boxford, Mass.) up front and Sarah Person (Holden, Mass.) on the back line, players returning from injury like Heather Moody (Dunstable, Mass.) and Nicole Fournier (Milford, Mass.) and sophomores that contributed in the playoffs such as Paige Marinelli (Burlington, Conn.) and LeeAnn Card (Paxton, Mass.) look to guide the 2013 Gulls through a tough schedule and potential deep post season run.

Head coach Jodi Kenyon, who is entering her ninth season at the helm and holds a record of 127-42-12, knows that the experience from last year's run and the hard work the women have put in during the offseason will only help them in the long run.  "We have some very big shoes to fill with the graduation of key players from the 2012 squad," stated Kenyon.  "There are big holes that several returners began battling to fill at the end of last season.  While we have some question marks this team is focused and has set some pretty high standards for the new players. They simply will not accept mediocrity and are prepared to do battle to regain what they feel they lost.  If their attitude and determination persist throughout the season, I have no doubt they will do great things."

The Gulls know that their tough schedule will have them ready for post season play.  "Our end results the past couple of seasons have fallen short of our goal," stated senior Lexi Dussi.  "We are looking to not only raise a banner but to also make a strong NCAA appearance.  Last years' experience helped us prepare for this season and will only make us stronger."  Their schedule kicks off in Rochester, N.Y. against the University of Rochester and Union before the Gulls then take on Salem State, Keene State, Lasell, Smith and Wellesley before opening up at Roger Williams in a rematch of last year's CCC semifinal loss.  Endicott will also have Babson and Tufts come to Beverly, Mass. for contests and will travel to Plymouth State to take on the Panthers to round out their out of conference schedule.  A late October tilt against cross-town rival Gordon wraps up the regular season and readies them for an early November CCC tournament.  With the experience gained from last year's ECAC title and the tough schedule during the regular season, Kenyon and the Gulls have their sights set on returning to the CCC title game and taking care of unfinished business.