UMBC

Head Coach Michelle Salmon's Retrievers were picked to finish eighth in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll.

- The UMBC women’s soccer team was picked to finish eighth in the 2005 America East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, receiving 18 points. Boston University received 60 points, including four first-place votes, and was selected to win the conference. Coaches chose the order of finish with disregard of their own team.

Maine finished a close second to the Terriers, receiving four first-place votes and 58 points. New Hampshire was third with 48 points, followed by defending America East champion Binghamton, which received one first-place vote and 41 total points. Stony Brook and Vermont tied for fifth place with 31 points, followed by Hartford (28), UMBC (18) and Albany (9).

Under the direction of sixth-year head coach Michelle Salmon, the Retrievers will look to return to the America East Championship, which they missed in 2004 after making it in 2003, their first season in the league. The top six teams in the conference advance to the tournament, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA College Cup. The Retrievers finished the season 8-10 overall last season, including 3-6 in the America East, good for ninth in the conference.

The Retrievers return nine starters and 18 players from the 2004 squad, including sophomore forward Jessica Young, who was selected to the America East All-Rookie team last season as UMBC’s top scorer with six goals and four assists. Also returning are junior forward Kelly Fiorani, last year’s second-leading scorer (3 goals, 4 assists); senior back Jessica Golibart (3 goals, 1 assist); junior back Mary Hearin (1 goal, 2 assists); and junior midfielder Betsy Day (2 goals).

The Retrievers open the season Aug. 26, hosting Liberty under the lights at 7 p.m. at UMBC Stadium. Their first conference contest is Sept. 25 when they host New Hampshire. The America East Championship begins Oct. 28-30 for the first and second rounds and concludes with the finals Nov. 4-6.

2005 America East Preseason Coaches’ Poll
School (1st-Place Votes)      Points
1. Boston U. (4)                         60
2. Maine (4)                                58
3. New Hampshire                   48
4. Binghamton (1)                     41
T5. Stony Brook                         31
T5. Vermont                               31
7. Hartford                                  28
8. UMBC                                     18
9. Albany                                      9