The Husson University women’s soccer team was picked to finish fourth in the North Atlantic Conference this fall, according to a preseason vote of the league’s coaches.
New England College earned four first-place votes and was tabbed to win the conference. Defending champion Colby-Sawyer College followed, with Castleton being picked third.
Maine Maritime Academy of Castine was picked to finish fifth in the 10-team league, followed by UMaine-Farmington and Thomas College of Waterville.
Husson finished 7-8-2 overall and 6-1-2 in conference play under coach Amanda Cummings last fall. The Eagles return 14 players from that squad, including three of their top five scorers in Leah Hibbad, Taylor Fortin and Allison Carey.
Husson opens its season on Sunday at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish.
NEWMAC football poll out
Maine Maritime Academy is expected to struggle on the football field this fall, according to the coaches in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference.
Coach Chris McKenney’s Mariners were picked to finish last in the newly formed, eight-team conference.
Springfield College was selected as the favorite to claim the league title.
The Mariners struggled to a 1-8 campaign in 2016.
USM names team captains
Seniors Tayla Smedberg of Oxford and Kaylie Andrews of Kittery have been named co-captains of the 2017 University of Southern field hockey team, coach Bonny Brown-Denico announced Wednesday.
Andrews, a forward returns for senior season after scoring 10 goals and passing off three assists for 23 points in her career. With 64 career games to her credit, she registered two goals and two assists last season.
Smedberg, a 2016 All-Little East Conference third-team selection, returns as the Huskies’ top scorer. The senior set career marks in scoring last fall with 10 goals and five assists for 25 points.
She has 17 goals and seven assists to her credit in 64 career games.
Southern Maine opens its season Friday at 4 p.m. at Thomas College in Waterville.