FAIRFAX, Va. – The Atlantic 10 Conference announced its preseason women's soccer rankings on Tuesday, with George Mason picked to finish tied for third with 145 total points in the coaches' poll.
In this year's voting, Saint Louis received 10 first place votes and was picked first with 192 total points. La Salle received four first place votes and was projected to finish second in the conference with 184 total points.
Duquesne ranked tied for third along with the Patriots with 145 points, while VCU placed fifth with 140 points.
Mason finished the 2017 season with a 9-9-2 overall record, including a mark of 6-2-2 in Atlantic 10 play to earn the third seed for the A-10 Tournament.
The Patriots return 19 players from last year's roster, while adding eight newcomers this season. Mason had 10 players record at least two goals last season.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Louisa Moser went 8-5-2 last season and was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team, becoming the first Mason goalkeeper in program history to earn the honor.
Senior
Emily Littell became the first women's soccer player in program history to be selected CoSIDA Academic All-America. She tied for the team lead in goals (4) and led the team in both assists (7) and points (15), all career highs.
Senior
Rebecca Callison finished the 2017 season with a career-high four goals and added two assists for a career-high 10 points.
The Patriots open the regular season with three straight games on the road, beginning Aug. 16 against East Tennessee State in Johnson City, Tenn. Mason will then face Tennessee on Aug. 19 in Knoxville, Tenn. and Rutgers on Aug. 26 in Piscataway, N.J.
2018 Atlantic 10 Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Saint Louis 192 (10)
2. La Salle 184 (4)
3. George Mason 145
Duquesne 145
5. VCU 140
6. Saint Joseph's 136
7. Dayton 119
8. George Washington 98
9. Fordham 83
10. Massachusetts 72
11. Richmond 58
12. St. Bonaventure 36
Davidson 36
14. Rhode Island 25
