CCSU Slotted Third in NEC Preseason Coaches' Poll

Central Connecticut women's golf was picked to finish third in the Northeast Conference according to the league's preseason coaches' poll released this afternoon. The Blue Devils, who were runners-up at the NEC Championships last season, return a pair of all-conference performers. Second-year head coach Paula Cloud, the reigning league coach of the year, looks to leads the team to its first title since 2001.

Cloud will have sophomore Lucie Sarochova and junior Deborah Kim guiding CCSU this spring. Sarochova, who finished tied for fourth at last season's championships, had four top-10s during the fall and posted a team-best 79.6 stroke average. Kim, meanwhile, came in seventh at the 2007 Northeast Conference Championships. She appeared in all but one event this fall, compiling an 84.9 stroke average with a season-best 10th place finish at the Sacred Heart Fall Classic.

As a team, the Blue Devils ended the fall with their best effort. They placed second in Sacred Heart's eight-team field. In addition to Sarochova and Kim, Cloud will rely on a pair of freshman. Meghan Brunswick and Chelsea Woods each played in every fall event. Brunswick tied for 18th at Sacred Heart and had an 88.6 stroke average, while Woods tied for 24th in the final fall event and had a 90.8 stroke average. Senior Daniella Duque and sophomore Natalie Jones add depth to the team. Jones had a 94.3 stroke average over nine rounds, while Duque played four rounds over two events and had a 94.0 stroke average.

Two-time defending champion Saint Francis (PA) was named the favorite. The seven-time NEC champions received three first place votes. Long Island, the recipient of two-first place votes, came in second, and, despite getting the most first place nods, Fairleigh Dickinson is slotted fourth. Sacred Heart placed fifth with the remaining first place vote. Monmouth, Robert Morris, Mount St. Mary’s, Wagner and St. Francis (NY) rounded out the field of 10.

Central Connecticut's spring season starts on Friday, March 28 at the Third Annual Hawk Classic hosted by Monmouth. The three-day event will be played at Eagle Ridge Golf Course in Lakewood, NJ.

CCSU Women's Golf Fall Statistics