RIVERDALE, N.Y. - The Manhattan College women's soccer team was selected ninth in the 2012 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Defending MAAC champion Marist College was the top choice collecting 99 points in the poll and Fairfield (81) followed, a team the Jaspers battled to a double overtime draw last season. Loyola University senior forward Nichole Schiro was selected the league's Preseason Player of the Year coming off a season where she finished second in the MAAC with 13 goals.
Manhattan looks to rebound from an injury plagued 2011 season. The Jaspers return eight starters, including senior goalkeeper Kara Davis who led the MAAC averaging 7.94 saves per game last year and was second in the conference with a .836 save percentage. Manhattan also welcomes 12 newcomers who will bolster the line up giving the program more depth than in recent years.
The Jaspers begin their challenging 17 game slate on Aug. 24 at Fordham. Manhattan plays its first game in Riverdale on Sept. 7 when the Jaspers host Lafayette.
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2012 MAAC Women's Soccer
Preseason Coaches' Poll
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2012 MAAC Women's Soccer Preseason
All-MAAC Team
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1.
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Marist
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99
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Name
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Position
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School
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2.
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Fairfield
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81
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Didi Haracic
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Goalkeeper
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Loyola
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3.
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Loyola
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80
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Allison Walsh
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Back
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Fairfield
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4.
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Niagara
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73
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Kelsey Rene
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Back
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Loyola
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5.
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Siena
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53
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Jessica Arabia
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Back
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Marist
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6.
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Canisius
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45
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Chelsea Botta
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Back
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Marist
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Iona
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45
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Nicole Stanton
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Midfield
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Fairfield
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8.
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Rider
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41
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Rycke Guiney
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Midfield
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Marist
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9.
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Manhattan
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21
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Caitlin Cahalan
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Midfield
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Siena
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10.
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Saint Peter's
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12
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Nichole Schiro
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Forward
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Loyola
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Amanda Epstein
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Forward
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Marist
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Abi Cottam
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Forward
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Rider
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2012 MAAC Women's Soccer Preseason Player of the Year: Nichole Schiro, Loyola
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