The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and Commissioner Dan Mara has released the results of the 2024 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll on Tuesday.
In voting done by the league's 12 head coaches, Chestnut Hill College was ranked eighth in the forecasted standings with 56 total points. Defending CACC Tournament Champion and NCAA division II East Region Final Jefferson university topped this years poll with 117 points.
The Rams received eight of 12 first-place votes in the CACC poll and 117 total points. Caldwell University, a CACC finalist a year ago, collected three first-place votes and was chosen for second place with 102 points. The University of Bridgeport received the final first-place vote and was picked for third place with 91 points, followed closely by Wilmington University with 90 points in fourth place.
The next four positions in the poll went to, respectively, Georgian Court University (5th, 81 points), Dominican University New York (6th, 77), Holy Family University (7th, 66), and Chestnut Hill College (8th, 56). Goldey-Beacom College landed in the ninth position with 40 points, followed by Felician University (32), Post University (27), and Lincoln (Pa.) University (13).
The Griffins return a solid nucleus of players including three of last season's top four scorers in Rebecca Dalton (eight goals), Lauren Sullivan (five goals) and Alyssa DeGeorge (three goals.). Sullivan was a Second Team All-Conference performer in 2024, and all three athletes provided steady play on the pitch all season long.
Ellie Stratz returns in goal for her third season after producing a 1.78 goals against average in 12 starts for the Griffins who finished with a 5-6 CACC record last season. A healthy Kaitlyn Brace along with Stella McCallion and Maddie Camillo should provide solid defensive play during the 2025 campaign.
Seven newcomers join the returnees this season with six of the seven slated to play midfield or forward when regular season play starts.
Chestnut Hill hosts Rutgers-Camden for a scrimmage on August 22 and open regular season play with an afternoon matinee against St. Michael's College on September 5. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. at Victory Field. Conference play is slated to start on Sept. 16. At season's end, the top eight teams in the standings will qualify for the CACC Championship tournament. The quarterfinals and semifinals will be held on Nov. 8 and 11 at campus sites. Post will host the championship final on Nov. 15 at LaMoy Field in Waterbury, Conn. The CACC champion will automatically qualify for the 2025 NCAA Division II East Region Championship.
