NEWARK, N.J. — The NJIT women's soccer team will enter its third season in the America East voted to finish tied for fifth in the league, the conference announced this week with the release of its Preseason Poll of conference coaches.

NJIT earned 35 points in the poll and were matched by UAlbany for the fifth spot on the conference table. UMass Lowell, last year's No. 2 seed, was voted to win the league this season after receiving 59 total points and four first-place votes, while reigning champion Vermont was one place (2nd), point (58) and first-place vote (3) behind UMass Lowell.

The Highlanders, who finished the 2021 campaign as the third seed in the America East Tournament (6-8-3, 4-4-1 AE) and hosted NJIT's first-ever America East tourney home game, will chase their first title in the league with a core of 21 returners and nine newcomers led by 2021 honorees Molly Saylor (Second Team All-AE, All-Academic Team), Siani Magruder (Second Team All-AE), and Caroline Caputo (AE All-Rookie Team).

NJIT opens the 2022 campaign on Thursday, August 18 at home against LIU. The Highlanders' first America East matches are slated for Sunday, September 18 at Maine and Sunday, September 25 against New Hampshire in a rematch of last year's thrilling quarterfinal match.

2022 America East Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
No. School Points (1st Place Votes)
1. UMass Lowell 59 (4)
2. Vermont 58 (3)
3. New Hampshire 49 (1)
4. Binghamton 42 (1)
T5. UAlbany 35
T5. NJIT 35
7. Bryant 19
8. Maine 16
9. UMBC 11