PITMAN, NJ – The TCNJ women’s soccer team was picked to finish first in the NJAC Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Wednesday morning by the conference. The Lions picked up nine first-place votes.
TCNJ has won four consecutive NJAC titles and hasn’t lost a regular-season NJAC game since Oct. 29, 2015.
Last season, the Lions went 9-0 in conference play, outscoring their NJAC competitors by a combined score of 28-2. In the NJAC Tournament, the Lions defeated Stockton, 2-0, before winning the conference title in penalty kicks against Rowan after a scoreless tie.
The Lions return NJAC Midfielder of the Year Gianna Coppola and NJAC Rookie of the Year Ava Curtis from last year’s team. Coppola finished last season with seven goals and 17 points, and Curtis had a goal and three assists from the back line.
The Lions return their top three scorers with juniors Sophie Vieira (9g/3a/21p) and senior Emma Pascarella (7g/4a/18p) joining Coppola (7g/3a/17p) at the top of the scoresheet.
Earlier this month, TCNJ earned the No. 2 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Preseason Poll after its trip to the NCAA Championship game in 2021.
TCNJ opens the 2022 season on Sept. 3 against Salisbury at the Seahawk Classic, hosted by St. Mary’s (Md.).