CALDWELL, N.J. - The Caldwell College women's soccer team was predicted to finish fourth this season by the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference 2009 Preseason Poll, the league announced today. Last season the Cougars tied for fourth place with a conference record of 7-3-1 and advanced to the semifinals of the CACC Tournament. Philadelphia and Georgian Court, last year’s CACC Tournament finalists, tied for first in this year’s poll, which was voted on by the conference’s 13 head coaches.

Caldwell, coached by Nate Guagliardi, went 8-11-1 overall in 2008 after posting a 5-14 mark in 2007. The improvement earned Guagliardi CACC Coach of the Year honors. The Cougars defeated Nyack in the quarterfinals for the program’s second CACC Tournament win in 11 years. Philadelphia eliminated Caldwell in the semifinals with a 2-1 double-overtime decision.

Among the returnees is sophomore Nikki D’Orsaneo (Bowie, MD/Bowie), who received all-CACC honorable mention after an outstanding freshman season. D’Orsaneo is the team’s leading returning scorer, having totaled six points on a goal and four assists in 2008. The two seniors on this year’s team are forward Nicole Laureigh (Lanoka Harbor, NJ/Lacey Twp.) and midfielder Brianna Diaz (Chili, NY/Churchville-Chili).

Georgian Court, who won the CACC Tournament last year, and Philadelphia each received 160 points, with the Rams garnering seven first-place votes and the Lions receiving the other six. Holy Family ranked third with 148 points, 18 more than the Cougars at 130.

Caldwell starts the 2009 season against Franklin Pierce at the Southern Connecticut State Tournament on Aug. 27 in New Haven, Conn.