ERIE, Pa. – Both the Penn State Behrend men's and women's soccer teams have been selected as the favorites to win the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference this season, as announced in the preseason coaches' polls released Monday.
The men are coming off their best season to date with an appearance in the NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen and finishing with a 16-4-2 overall record. The Lions who enter with a No. 16 ranking, will look to defend their AMCC Championship in hopes for eighth trip back to the NCAA Tournament.
Senior defender Andrew Mastovich (Murrysville, PA / Franklin Regional) was named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. He was First Team All-AMCC selection last season and anchored the defense that only allowed five goals total in nine conference games. Mastovich also helped Behrend post a 0.75 goals-against average to go with 10 shutouts.
Medaille was slated to place second. Mount Aloysius College and Franciscan rounded out the top four spots in the AMCC preseason poll.
Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
|
No. 1 |
Penn State Behrend |
|
No. 2 |
Medaille |
|
No. 3 |
Mount Aloysius |
|
No. 4 |
Franciscan |
|
No. 5 |
La Roche |
|
No. 6 |
D'Youville |
|
No. 7 |
Penn State Altoona |
|
No. 8 |
Pitt-Bradford |
|
No. 9 |
Pitt-Greensburg |
|
No. 10 |
Alfred State |
|
No. 11 |
Hilbert |
After winning their eighth straight AMCC Championship last season, the Penn State Behrend women's soccer team is poised on capturing their ninth consecutive title in 2019 according to the AMCC preseason coaches' poll.
The Behrend Lions posted a 13-7 record last year and made their 11th appearance at the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. Behrend returns 17 players from a year ago and added nine new faces to this year's squad.
Sophomore forward Brenna McGuire (McDonald, PA/South Fayette) was named the AMCC Offensive Preseason Player of the Year. She returns after being selected the 2018 AMCC Player of the Year for leading the conference with 18 goals, including 13 in AMCC contests. McGuire scored five game-winning goals, including the final tally in the AMCC Championship game. She added five assists to finish with 41 points. She was also selected ECAC Rookie of the Year and First Team All-ECAC.
Mt. Aloysius was selected to finish second followed by D'Youville in third. The Mounties battled the Behrend Lions in the conference championship game last season.
Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
|
No. 1 |
Penn State Behrend |
|
No. 2 |
Mount Aloysius |
|
No. 3 |
D'Youville |
|
No. 4 |
Penn State Altoona |
|
No. 5 |
Pitt-Greensburg |
|
No. 6 |
Franciscan |
|
No. 7 |
Alfred State |
|
No. 8 |
Pitt-Bradford |
|
No. 9 |
La Roche |
|
No. 10 |
Medaille |
|
No. 11 |
Hilbert |