BOSTON, Mass. – The Wentworth Institute of Technology women's soccer team has been picked to finish fifth in Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Preseason Poll as voted upon by the league's nine head coaches. 

The Leopards, who were crowned CCC Champions in 2016, collected 38 points to tie for fifth place with Western New England. Last year's Regular-Season Champion, Endicott (77 points – five first place votes), was picked to lead the conference once again as it earned the top spot in the poll. Roger Williams (74 points – four first place votes), which claimed the 2017 CCC Tournament title, was voted at second, before Gordon (63 points) rolled in at number three.

Head coach Meredith Carey enters her second season at the helm of the Wentworth women's soccer program after finishing the 2017 season at 6-11-1 overall. The Leopards qualified for the CCC postseason tournament for the sixth straight season with a 4-4-1 record against conference opponents, falling to Gordon, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round. Anchored by a solid midfield and defense, the Leopards allowed just 26 goals last season – ranking fourth among conference foes – in large part to returning letter-winner Molly Donahue (Quincy, Mass.), who earned All-CCC Second Team honors while starting in 15 of 16 games. Joining Donahue in the midfield is Madyson Reno (Superior, Colo.), a returning letter-winner and 2015 CCC Rookie of the Year and First Team selection. Wentworth also welcomes back Christie Fleming (Braintree, Mass.), the now senior goalkeeper for the Leopards, who made 85 saves last season, including nine stops in the Leopards' narrow tournament loss to Gordon. Across the CCC, Fleming ranked fifth in goals-against average (1.28), and tied for second in goals against (14). Offensively, the Leopards look to utilize Jess Poratti (Essex Junction, Vt.), who finished her sophomore campaign with the second-most goals for Wentworth.

The Leopards kick off the 2018 season with five games on the road, including the season opener against St. Lawrence at the North Country Lotto Tournament on Aug. 31.

2018 CCC Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll

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