RICHMOND, Va. – The Colonial Athletic Association released its 2016 Women’s Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll on Friday, August 12.
Elon University sophomore forward Tori Baliatico was named as an honorable mention on the 2016 Preseason All-CAA team. The Scotch Plains, N.J. native, finished her 2015 campaign with a 2015 CAA All-Rookie team selection after tallying four goals and one assist for nine total points in her first season as a Phoenix.
The Phoenix squad returns 20 players from the 2015 season, which posted a winning record of 9-8-2 and started the year with a Division I era program-best, 7-1-1 mark, in the first nine games. Elon will also infuse 10 newcomers into the fold, which includes nine total freshmen, three of which are international student-athletes, and a graduate transfer.
Elon was selected eighth in the league poll, compiling a total of 23 points, as the program enters its third season in the CAA.
Following its exhibition match on Saturday at Appalachian State, the Phoenix opens the 2016 season on Rudd Field on Friday, August 19, at 4 p.m. against Charleston Southern.
2016 CAA Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll
Pl. Team Pts (1st Place Votes) 1. William & Mary 76 (6) 2. James Madison 73 (2) 3. Hofstra 69 (2) 4. Northeastern 54 5. UNCW 45 6. Delaware 41 7. Drexel 36 8. Elon 23 9. Towson 17 10. College of Charleston 16
2016 Preseason All-CAA Women’s Soccer Team
Name School Pos. Cl. Hometown Kayla Cappuzzo Northeastern F Jr. Merrick, N.Y. Ashley Herndon James Madison F Sr. Ashburn, Va. Natalie Zelenky Delaware F Sr. Mechanicsburg, Pa. Allie Bunner James Madison M Sr. Bristow, Va. Hannah Lopiccolo Northeastern M Jr. Trabuco Canyon, Calif. Rachel Moore William & Mary M Jr. Vienna, Va. Jill Mulholland Hofstra M Sr. Levittown, N.Y. Vanessa Kara Drexel F/M So. Burlington, N.J. Emily Agudelo Hofstra D Sr. Long Beach, N.Y. Mackenzie Dowd Northeastern D Sr. Gig Harbor, Wash. Clara Logsdon William & Mary D Sr. Clifton, Va. Carolyn Huddy UNCW GK Sr. Huntersville, N.C.
2016 CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Ashley Herndon, James Madison
Honorable Mention: Madeline Anderson, Hofstra (F); Tori Baliatico, Elon (F); Elyse Branton, William & Mary (D/M); Carina Deandreis, Northeastern (M); Kristen Desmond, Hofstra (F); Sami Grasso, William & Mary (F); Madison Melnick, UNCW (D); Natalia Pinkney, Towson (F); Rio Speller-Drews (D), College of Charleston; Jennie Sroba, James Madison (D)