Cardinals top women's soccer preseason poll

WASHINGTON – Expectations are high for the CUA women’s soccer team in 2010 and on Wednesday the Cardinals were pegged to repeat as Landmark Conference champions in the annual preseason poll.  CUA received 69 total points in the poll as it edged out the Scranton Royals which totaled 64 points.

2009 was one of the best seasons in school annals for the Cardinals, as they won 17 matches, captured the Landmark Conference championship for the first time ever and earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in five years. 

Individually, four CUA student-athletes earned All-Landmark honors, three were named ECAC All-Stars and two garnered All-Region accolades, including Kelly Donnelly who will be a senior in 2010.  In addition, Courtney Orgill was named the Landmark Conference Rookie of the Year after leading the conference in goals with 15.

Coming in third in the poll was Drew with 48 points, followed by Moravian (40), Susquehanna (39), Juniata (21), and Goucher (13).

The Cardinals report to campus and will begin preseason practice this week as they set their sights on the September 1st season opener versus Marymount (Va.).  The contest will be played at CUA Soccer Field and will get underway at 4:30.