Moon Township, Pa. – One season after advancing to the Northeast Conference (NEC) championship for the first time, the Robert Morris University women's soccer team earned its highest ranking in the NEC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll where it was selected third.
 
Fairleigh Dickinson, the defending NEC Champions, received three first place votes and is the favorite to defend its title. Central Connecticut claimed the most first place votes with four and are second in the poll. RMU is third followed by Saint Francis U and Bryant, both of whom garnered top votes. Sacred Heart is sixth with Wagner, LIU Brooklyn and Mount St. Mary's rounding out the poll.
 
The Colonials advanced to the NEC Tournament for the first time last season where it defeated Bryant, 2-1, in the semifinals before eventually succumbing to FDU, 1-0, in the championship game. RMU posted an overall mark of 10-11 and went 5-3 in league play.
 
Thirteen players return from that squad highlighted by two-time All-NEC selection Kayla Kelley at center back. Senior Erin Ritzer is the top returning scorer after finishing with 13 points on five goals and three assists in her junior year.
 
The 2016 campaign gets under way Friday, Aug. 19, when RMU plays host to Youngstown State in a 5:00 p.m. match at North Athletic Complex.
 
2016 Northeast Conference Women's Soccer
Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Fairleigh Dickinson (3)
2. Central Connecticut (4)
3. Robert Morris
4. Saint Francis U (1)
5. Bryant (1)
6. Sacred Heart
7. Wagner
8. LIU Brooklyn
9. Mount St. Mary's