NEW HAVEN, CT- The 2010 Georgian Court University soccer squad opens the season at #3 in the CACC Preseason Coaches Poll, released today by the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
 
The Lions (15-8, 10-2 CACC in 2009) garnered 148 points in the poll, including three first-place votes. Leading the group was top-ranked Philadelphia University (13-5-3, 10-2 CACC) with 160 points (eight first place) and #2 Holy Family University (13-9-1, 8-3-1 CACC), the 2009 CACC champions, with 149 points (one first place).

Rounding out the top five are Chestnut Hill College (11-8-2, 8-3-1 CACC) with 127 points (one first place) and Wilmington University (9-7-2, 8-3-1 CACC) with 123 points.

Georgian Court looks to make its third straight appearance in the CACC championship game after winning the 2008 crown and falling to Holy Family, 1-0, in last year's title contest. A return trip this season will give the Lions the unique opportunity to compete for a championship on their home turf as GCU will serve as host to both the men's and women's CACC semifinals and finals in November.

Junior forwards Kelly Lyons (Jackson, NJ) and Candace Seaton (Bellport, NY) return to lead an offense that topped the CACC in goals scored (63), assists (51) and total points (177) in 2009. 

Lyons enjoyed a remarkable sophomore campaign, leading the conference with 22 goals and 48 points. The two-time CACC Player of the Week earned selection to the All-CACC First Team, Daktronics East All-Region First Team and Daktronics All-American Third-Team for her efforts.

In two collegiate seasons (47 total games), Lyons has collected an amazing 43 goals and 97 points.

Seaton, last year's conference leader in assists (10), earned a spot on the Daktronics East All-Region Second Team. She also had quite the offseason, scoring Trinidad & Tobago's lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Jamaica at the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship in Guatemala City.

Redshirt  sophomore Denisha Thomas (Trinidad & Tobago), the CACC's top defender, returns to anchor the Lions' back line, a year after being selected to All-CACC First Team and CACC All-Tournament Team.

Junior Shealyn Sullivan (Buffalo, NY), with the departure of former All-CACC goalkeeper, Lindsay Hammond, will take over in net for the Lions. Sullivan is 1-1 in six career games (three starts) as GCU netminder.

Other key returnees include the lone seniors of the squad, Skyler Eiceman (four goals, five assists) and Shannon Mastrogiovanni (four goals, six assists); junior Alexa Niro (five goals, two assists); and sophomores Farrell Pomponio (two goals, seven assists), Becky Witmer (one goal, four assists), Katie Schieder (two goals), Cyn-Dee Wong (two goals) and Latifa Kelly (one goal).

Head Coach Jim Moore leads his troops into action for the first time in 2010 on Saturday, September 4th at home vs. Bloomsburg University at 1PM.