Penn State Altoona has been selected by the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference coaches to successfully defend their 2008 title this season.  Frostburg State University, a five-time titlist, was chosen to finish second, and Penn State Behrend, which has worn the league crown six times, was ranked #3.

Preseason Player of the Year honors were awarded to Penn State Altoona forward Emily Reimold  (Shrewsbury, PA/Susquehannock).  The sophomore started all 20 games in 2008, tallying 19 goals and 7 assists to break the Lions' single season goal-scoring record.  She was voted first team All-AMCC and conference Newcomer of the Year and was a second team NSCAA All-Great Lakes selection.

This season the conference welcomes D'Youville College to its ranks; the Spartans were previously members of the North Eastern Athletic Conference.  The AMCC kicks off conference play on Saturday, September 19, and the championship will be Saturday, November 7, hosted by the number #1 seed.  The winner will receive the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Named to the AMCC Women's Soccer Players to Watch List were junior D Kelly Thill (Wexford, PA/Pine Richland) and junior M Caitlyn Elser (Cranberry Twp, PA/Seneca Valley). Thill was named to the AMCC honorable mention team last season while starting 20 games for the blue and white. She also was voted the program's MVP in 2008.

Elser scored eight goals and was selected to the AMCC honorable mention team in 2008. She started all 20 games and can play both as a midfielder and forward. Behrend finished the 2008 season 7-12-1.

AMCC WOMEN'S SOCCER POLL
2009 Preseason Rankings*

1. Penn State Altoona (1)
2. Frostburg State (2)
3. Penn State Behrend (5)
4. La Roche (4)
5. Medaille (3)
6. Pitt-Greensburg (7)
7. Franciscan (6)
8. Hilbert (7)
9. Pitt-Bradford (7)
10. Mount Aloysius (10)
11. D'Youville (N/A)

* Number in parentheses is order of regular season finish in 2008