MASCAC Releases Preseason Poll for Women's Soccer
FITCHBURG, MA: The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) released the 2023 Women's Soccer preseason poll early this afternoon. The two-time defending MASCAC Tournament Champions, Westfield State, were selected by the coaches to repeat for a third time in 2023.
The Owls landed in first with five of eight possible first place votes for 47 points in this year’s poll. The team was a perfect 7-0 in MASCAC play last season. Back for the Owls is Delaney Parker, who, during the 2022 season, led the MASCAC in assists (10) while also scoring the second most goals (16) and total points (42) to earn her second straight All-Conference accolades.
In the second spot is Fitchburg State, with 41 points and two first place votes. The Falcons were 5-1-1 last season and found themselves in the tournament title game for the first time in program history. Adrianna Westcott (Sayreville, NJ) led the team in points with 21 on eight goals and five assists, including one game-winner last season.
Bridgewater State comes in third with 38 points and the final first place vote. The Bears also were 5-1-1 during the 2022 conference slate. In goal, Logan Levesque started 16 games between the pipes in her rookie campaign, leading the Bears to ten wins and six shutouts. She posted a 1.31 goals against average in 1,440 minutes of work and notched 83 saves to go along with a .798 save percentage.
Sitting in fourth is Worcester State with 34 points. The Lancers collected four wins during MASCAC play last season. In her first season with the team, Erin Condon finished the season second on the team in goals with seven while assisting on four more for 18 points to earn 2022 MASCAC Rookie of the Year honors.
Tied for fifth are Framingham State and Salem State with 22 points. The Rams return goalie Jetta Oskirko who last season registered an .817 save percentage, 2.27 GAA, four wins, and two shutouts. For the Vikings, Brenna Paquette led the team with four goals and an assist for nine points. She also collected one game-winner on the season.
Finishing out the 2023 women’s soccer poll in seventh and eighth are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA with 11 and 9 points, respectively. For the Buccaneers, Abby Lelievre found the back
of the net twice last season for four points, the second most points on the team. Returning for the Trailblazers is Anna Lewis, who drained a goal and added an assist during the 2022 season.
To view the full MASCAC release, click HERE.
2023 MASCAC Women’s Soccer Pre-Season Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
1. Westfield State (5) 47 points
2. Fitchburg State (2) 41 points
3. Bridgewater State (1) 38 points
4. Worcester State 34 points
5. Framingham State 22 points
Salem State 22 points
7. Massachusetts Maritime 11 points
8. MCLA 9 points