Aug. 4, 2003

Providence, R.I. - On Friday, August 3rd, the Big East Conference announced its 2003 Women's Soccer Preseason Poll, award winners, and All-Conference squad. The Villanova women's soccer team was picked to finish third in the Big East Conference Mid-Atlantic Division. In addition, Wildcat senior goalkeeper Chrissy Dolan was named Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year and junior forward Laura Johnson was named to the Preseason All-Big East team.

For the third consecutive year, Connecticut and Notre Dame have been picked to capture the 2003 BIG EAST Women's Soccer regular season divisional titles as voted by the conference coaches. The Huskies were selected to finish the regular season atop the Northeast Division, while the Fighting Irish were chosen to garner the Mid-Atlantic Division championship.

Following Notre Dame atop the Big East Mid-Atlantic Division Preseason Poll are West Virginia in second position with four first place votes, and Villanova in third place. Winding down the Mid-Atlantic Division is Rutgers, Georgetown, Seton Hall and Pittsburgh.

In the Northeast Division standings is Connecticut in first place with 13 first place votes, Boston College in second with one first place vote, Miami in third, St. John's in fourth, Syracuse in fifth, Virginia Tech on sixth and Providence in seventh.

A team's BIG EAST record is determined by divisional games only. The top four teams in each division will qualify for the BIG EAST Championship. Quarterfinal games will be held at campus sites on November 1 and 2, while the semifinals and final will be held at Rutgers Soccer Stadium in Piscataway, N.J. on November 7 & 9.

Northeast 		Pts 	BIG EAST, Overall, Finish

1. Connecticut (13) 	91 	6-0-0, 21-3-1, 1st
2. Boston College (1) 	80 	4-2-0, 11-8-1, 3rd
3. Miami 		         66 	4-1-1, 9-9-1, 2nd
4. St. John's 		52 	3-3-0, 11-6-4, 4th
5. Syracuse 		41 	0-5-1, 3-11-3, 7th
6. Virginia Tech 	         31 	2-4-0, 6-11-1, 5th
7. Providence 		30 	1-5-0, 8-9-2, 6th


Mid-Atlantic 		Pts 	BIG EAST, Overall, Finish
1. Notre Dame (10) 	88 	3-3-0, 13-8-0, Tied 4th
2. West Virginia (4) 	82 	5-0-1, 18-3-1, 1st
3. Villanova 		61 	4-1-1, 14-3-4, 2nd
4. Rutgers 		58 	3-2-1, 10-8-2, 3rd
5. Georgetown 		46 	3-3-0, 11-7-0, Tied 4th
6. Seton Hall 		27 	1-4-1, 7-11-1, 6th
7. Pittsburgh 		23 	0-6-0, 4-15-0, 7th
first place votes in parentheses

2003 BIG EAST WOMEN'S SOCCER PRESEASON POLL BIG EAST PRESEASON AWARDS

Offensive Player of the Year
Chrissie Abbott, West Virginia, Sr., F

Defensive Player of the Year
Candace Chapman, Notre Dame, Jr., D

Goalkeeper of the Year
Chrissy Dolan, Villanova, Sr., GK

Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Chrissy Dolan, Villanova, Sr., GK
Sarah Rahko, Boston College, Sr., M/F
Kristen Graczyk, Connecticut, Jr., F/M
Jessie Beers-Altman, Georgetown, Sr., F
Vonda Matthews, Miami, Sr., M/D
Candace Chapman, Notre Dame, Jr., D
Amanda Guertin, Notre Dame, Sr., F
Amy Warner, Notre Dame, Sr., F
*Carli Lloyd, Rutgers, Jr., M/F
Laura Johnson, Villanova, Jr., F
Chrissie Abbott, West Virginia, Sr., F
Lisa Stoia, West Virginia, Sr., M

* - unanimous selection
a tie in the voting created an additional position on the preseason team