Aug. 18, 2008

Cambridge, Mass. - The Stony Brook University women's soccer team was picked to finish third in the America East conference on Monday, in a preseason vote of the leagues coaches. The Seawolves open up the 2008 regular season against Long Island on Friday, Aug. 22 at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

The Seawolves received 46 points, just behind 2007 co-regular season champion New Hampshire (52 points) and defending tournament champion Boston University (63), who was a unanimous pick by the coaches to win the 2008 America East crown.

SBU returns seven starters from last season including senior midfielder Brooke Barbuto (Syracuse, N.Y.), a 2007 first team All-America East selection and junior goalkeeper Marisa Viola (Cutchogue, N.Y) who recorded a school record 10 shutouts last year. The Seawolves also welcome a recruiting class that was ranked second in the America East by Soccer Buzz magazine.

Stony Brook won eight games for a second consecutive year in 2007 and recorded a school-record five conference victories while hosting its first ever America East Tournament game, a 2-1 victory over Maine. SBU was also ranked eighth and 10th in the Northeast Region by Soccer Buzz magazine and the NSCAA, respectively, its first ever regional rankings.

2008 America East Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Boston University (8)* 63
2. New Hampshire (1) 52
3. Stony Brook 46
4. Maine 45
5. Hartford 40
6. Binghamton 26
7. Albany 23
8. Vermont 19
9. UMBC 9


*Unanimous selection (coaches cannot vote for own team)