Colonial Athletic Association women’s soccer coaches selected UNCW as the conference’s preseason favorite in a close contest between the 2021 CAA regular-season champion and the CAA Tournament champion.

UNCW collected seven of 12 first-place votes, while Hofstra garnered four. CAA newcomer Monmouth earned one first-place selection. 

The regular-season champion Seahawks and tournament champion Pride finished 1-2 in the poll, while CAA finalist Northeastern ranked third ahead of the MAAC champion Hawks. 

Towson, Elon, Delaware, and Drexel rounded out the top 8 in the first year of the eight-team CAA Championship format and were followed by William & Mary, Stony Brook, Charleston, and Hampton.

Towson’s Nia Christopher was selected as Preseason Player of the Year by the CAA’s head coaches after an impressive offensive showing in 2021. Christopher’s 13 goals ranked in the top 20 nationally to help earn the forward from Bermuda Towson’s first All-CAA first team selection since 2014.

UNCW earned the preseason first-place selection after a 7-2-0 mark in CAA play in 2021. The Seahawks ran off an eight-match unbeaten streak from August to October and return four of their top-5 scorers from a year ago, along with preseason All-CAA selections Morgan Nanni and Talia Parrous.

Hofstra won the CAA Championship for the fourth time in the last five years in a season that saw the Pride rank in the top 10 of both national polls. Hofstra advanced to the NCAA second round in a 17-win season and returns two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year Anja Suttner, who was named to the preseason All-CAA team.

𝓟𝓻𝓮𝓼𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓰𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷

Congratulations to Anja, Krista, and Skylar on earning Preseason All- @CAASports accolades❗

In addition, Hofstra was picked second in the preseason poll. #RoarWithPridehttps://t.co/I8UVr7Lk72 pic.twitter.com/Dl3ReYX0zy

— Hofstra Women's Soccer (@HofstraWSOC) August 11, 2022

Northeastern earned a spot in the CAA final for the first time since 2017 by ousting top-seeded UNCW in the tournament played at Elon. Alexis Legowski and Faith Rosenblatt give the Huskies two selections on the preseason squad.

Monmouth enters the CAA after winning six MAAC titles in nine seasons in the league, including a tournament crown last fall earned by outscoring opponents 11-1 in three games. All-MAAC honorees Lauren Karabin and Jesi Rossman were named to the CAA preseason list.

Towson aims to return to the CAA Championship for the first time since 2014, with the return of a group that has elevated the Tigers in recent seasons. Preseason Player of the Year Christopher is joined by Phoebe Canoles on the preseason All-CAA team.

Elon looks to return to the top in the conference after winning the CAA crown during the 2020-2021 season. The Phoenix went 9-6-2 in 2021 and were 3-0-0 in overtime in conference play. Elon placed two players on the CAA honorable mention list.

Congrats to @abbyfusca and Katie Lowe on being recognized on the 2022 Preseason All-@CAASports Team!

📰 https://t.co/NWaxzzCDr9 pic.twitter.com/rsilfoy1Jo

— Elon Women's Soccer (@ElonWSoccer) August 11, 2022

Delaware looks to employ a more consistent lineup in 2022 after the Blue Hens featured 20 different players in the Starting XI a year ago. Sara D’Appolonia, who was limited to 12 contests last season, earned a spot on the preseason All-CAA list.

Drexel posted three consecutive clean sheets in non-conference play in 2021 and played eight overtime periods in its nine conference games. Delaney Lappin collected preseason All-CAA honors for the Dragons.

William & Mary played eight of its nine CAA games to either a draw or one-goal margin, including three consecutive scoreless draws. Goalkeeper Zoe Doughty was named to the preseason All-CAA team after posting a save percentage and goals-against average that would have led the nation if her minutes met national minimums.

Stony Brook joins the CAA after going to three of the last five NCAA tournaments out of the America East. The Seawolves won seven matches in 2021 and place one player on the honorable mention list.

Charleston returns all but two of its goals scored from 2021 as a more experienced group looks to contend for a CAA Championship appearance. The Cougars earned a victory over regular season champion UNCW in October.

Hampton joins the league after competing since 2018 in the Big South. The Pirates return 83% of their points from a season ago as they enter their time in the CAA.

The CAA women’s soccer season begins Aug. 18, with 10 of the 12 teams in action on the year’s opening night. 

CAA home games throughout the 2022 season and the CAA Championship, which will begin with quarterfinal action Oct. 27, can be seen on FloFC.

2022 CAA Women's Soccer Predicted Order Finish 

2022 CAA Women's Soccer Preseason All-Conference Team

CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Nia Christopher, Towson

Honorable Mention: Krista Agostinello, Gr., D, Hofstra; Blair Barefoot, Jr., GK, UNCW; Kayla Burroughs, So., F, UNCW; Abby Fusca, Sr., M, Elon; Skylar Kuzmich, Sr., GK, Hofstra; Katie Lowe, Jr., D, Elon; Jacey Miller, Sr., D, Towson; Annalena O’Reilly, Sr., M, Drexel; Caitlin St. Leger, So., M, Delaware; Catharina von Drigalski, Sr., D, Stony Brook