America East, Northeast, both lose POYs

This continues our a series of daily articles previewing each men's and women's college conference. All the conference previews can be found here.

It’s an East Coast bias, as we look at the America East and Northeast Conferences in our continued preview of the upcoming women’s college soccer season.

America East

Looking for their fourth straight conference title, which would extend their school record, Boston University has reason to be optimistic. Despite the loss of some vital seniors, co-leading points scorers Jessica Luscinski and Farrell McClernon will be back as the program looks to improve on a first round loss in the NCAA tourney last year.

Binghamton was helped by having a young team in 2009, and this could be the year they drop the title of “conference runner-up.” If so, super sophomores, and co-leading points scorers from a year ago, Jamie Holliday and Emily Pape will be key.

Hit hard by the loss of two first-teamers and one second-teamer from a year ago, Maine will lean heavily on last year’s All Rookie goalkeeper Meagan Price-Leibenzeder along with senior forward Hannah Breton and midfielder Kelsey Wilson.

Stony Brook was one of the more opportunistic offensive teams in the conference last year, and if they remain as such in 2010 it will be largely because of 2009 All Rookie attackers Sa’sha Kersha and Taryn Schoenbeck.

It’s all about the twins. 2009 Rookie of the Year Chelsea DeVerna and Maggie DeVerna made a major impact for the Albany offense a year ago. They’re joined by key returning defender, sophomore Casey Marks.

New Hampshire has just four seniors on its roster; maybe a sign that 2010 isn’t the target year for huge success. Hartford will also be building with youth, while Vermont and UMBC are hoping to improve on one-win conference seasons in 2009.

Northeast

Undefeated in regular season conference play last year, Central Connecticut State(w) will have to cope with the loss of Conference Player of the Year Leah Blayney. Key players will help cushion the blow including first team midfielder and goal scorer Beth Lloyd, defender Karise Hilt and junior striker Brittany Jackson.

Having defeated CCSU in the 2009 conference championship, earning a berth to the NCAA tourney, Monmouth could arguably be considered the favorite. Defensive Player of the Year Ali Kliment leads a strong unit along with first team all conference goalkeeper Lia Fierro.

Striker Fortuna Velaj is the most dynamic scorer in the conference, and as she goes so do the Quinnipiac Bobcats. No player has scored more goals over the last two seasons and she’ll be joined by last year’s Rookie of the Year Jillian Strassner on what is actually a very senior laden squad.

Defense is the calling card for Long Island(w) as they were the stingiest D in the conference in 2009. Expect more of the same with returning goalkeeper Jennifer Bannon, who played every minute in goal last year, and senior defender Kelly Carter.

Question marks galore mark the St. Francis(w) preseason. They lost key seniors Rachel Seibert and Brittany Valentine and will have 12 incoming freshman this year. We’ll see.

Three programs who finished with identical four-win seasons last year include Robert Morris, Sacred Heart and Mount St. Mary’s(w). Watch out for junior goal scorer Ayana Davis for Robert Morris and St. Mary’s Sadie Winship, who should assume most of her team’s scoring responsibility.