Hawk soccer teams picked to repeat

If the Northeast Conference coaches have it right, Monmouth University soccer teams will rule again.

Both the men's and women's teams, which won the NEC championships last fall, are picked by the coaches to repeat as the conference's best.

This is nothing new for coach Rob Mc- Court's men. They've won the last three league titles.

"The NEC is a talented conference and it is an honor to be ranked at the top of the preseason coaches poll," said McCourt, the NEC Coach of the Year in '07. "Our players are working hard to live up to this billing and the pressures that go with it.

"It is a prestigious award, but we are aware that there is a long road ahead," he added. "Finishing on top of the NEC is always our top priority."

Monmouth was 12-5-2 overall and 7-2 in league play. The Hawks are 20-2-5 in NEC play since 2005 under McCourt.

Defense has been Monmouth's trademark during its three-year run as NEC champion and much of the nucleus of last year's club, which had a 0.74 goal-against average, is back led by All-NEC Second Team defenders Angelo Amato and Daniel Bostock.

Sophomore Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains-Fanwood) will takeover for the graduated Daniel Schenkel in goal.

Monmouth lost leading scorers Damon Wilson (seven goals, six assists) and Tom Gray (six goals, four assists). Expected to pick up the slack are senior Rob LaRocca and sophomore Ryan Kinne.

The Hawks had the No. 30-ranked recruiting class in the country led by Ramsey midfielder Cesar Blacido. He will join his brother Jorge Blacido, a junior transfer from Fairleigh Dickinson.

The top area recruit was speedy forward George Quintano from Manalapan. He led the Braves to the NJSIAA Group IV state co-championship last fall.

Monmouth University's women's coach Krissy Turner said her only concern is how the Hawks play and not their ranking.

"It's an honor to be selected by your peers as the team to beat going into the season," she said. "However, we have yet to step on the field and compete in 2008. Expectations are high, which they should be, but getting results on the field is what we are focusing on."

Monmouth was 12-5-4 overall last fall, including 6-2-1 record in league play.

The Hawks lost plenty with the graduation of NEC Player of the Year Amy Hoyer and First Team All-NEC defender Brittani Heller. But, there is a reason the coaches like Monmouth to repeat. They have a lot of talent returning, led by allleague forward Andrea Lopez. She had 14 points on five goals and four assists. She had the only goal of the match in Monmouth's 1-0 win over Sacred Heart in the NEC championship game.

Also returning are midfielder Joanna De- Moor and defender Shannon Rogers. Demoor was third on the team in assists (three) and Rogers ranked third in scoring (nine points).

Goalie Lia Fierro, last year's NEC tournament Most Valuable Player, is back to lead the defense. She posted eight shutouts in '07 and had a 0.94 goalsagainst average