CAA Releases Women’s Soccer Preseason Poll

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)