CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Aug. 25, 2016) - The East Coast Conference released its annual preseason women's soccer poll on Thursday, and LIU Post was voted second out of nine teams.

The Pioneers, who are coming off a 14-4-3 finish and a second-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2015, earned 71 points and two first-place votes. University of Bridgeport (75 points) secured the top spot in the poll, after reaching the Final Four a year ago.

The LIU Post offense will have a different look in 2016 with the departure of the program's all-time leading scorer, Susanne Vistnes. Head Coach Mark Dawson will look to forwards Andrea Huntzinger (Stockholm, Sweden) and Alex Lynn (Sydney, Australia) and midfielder Julia Backman (Morsil, Sweden) to put the ball in the back of the net this season. Returning All-ECC defender and 2014 ECC Defensive Player of the Year Kristin Brandman (East Northport, N.Y.) will lead the back line once again.

The Pioneers open the 2016 campaign on the road in New Haven, Conn., when they take on Southern New Hampshire University and American International College on Sept. 2 and Sept. 4, respectively. The green and gold will host Bridgeport in their first ECC contest on Sept. 14.

2016 ECC Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
1. Bridgeport (Seven First-Place Votes) - 75 Points
2. LIU Post (Two First-Place Votes) - 71 Points
3. Mercy - 63 Points
4. Roberts Wesleyan - 55 Points
5. Molloy - 34 Points
6. NYIT - 31 Points
7. Daemen - 29 Points
8. Queens - 26 Points
9. St. Thomas Aquinas - 21 Points