ANNVILLE, Pa. - On Tuesday, the Commonwealth Conference released the 2010 Women's Soccer preseason poll. Picked to finish seventh this fall was Albright College, who earned a total of 13 points. Defending conference and national champs Messiah College was chosen to win the conference having received 49 points and seven first place votes.

Arcadia University was ranked second with 43 points and 1 first place vote. Elizabethtown College and Widener University were tied for third, while Lebanon Valley was ranked fifth. Lycoming College took sixth place on this year's preseason poll. Alvernia University closed out the poll in eighth with nine points.

Last season the Lady Lions defeated two of the top-5 teams ranked on this year's poll, upsetting Elizabethtown 2-0 and Lebanon Valley 1-0. The red and white tied Widener 0-0 to earn the number four-seed in last year's Commonwealth Conference tournament.

Leading Albright in 2010 will be a solid core of veteran returners, who all saw significant playing time last year. Amongst those key individuals will be junior goalkeeper Olivia Giuliano, who shutout Etown, Lebanon Valley, and Widener. The two-time conference goalkeeper of the week also earned second team all-conference honors at the end of her sophomore campaign.

In over 1,160 minutes of playing time the Nutley, N.J. native tallied 76 saves (82.6 save percentage), and a career high four shutouts.

Also helping out on defense will be sophomore Kirstie Potteiger. Another second team all-conference honoree from last season, Potteiger has shown tremendous growth throughout the 2010 preseason.

The midfield and offensive third will see a mix of both veteran and newcomers this season. Alex Talbot and Jordan Cassidy return as two of the top point earners from the 2009 season. Talbot led the red and white with five goals, while Cassidy knocked in four goals of her own and tallied two assists.

Women's Soccer will open its 2010 campaign on Thursday, September 2nd when they travel up the road to take on Penn State Berks at 4 p.m.

2010 Commonwealth Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Poll

1.      Messiah                     49 pts (7)
2.      Arcadia                      43 pts (1)
t-3.   Elizabethtown          33 pts
t-3.   Widener                    33 pts
5.     Lebanon Valley        25 pts
6.     Lycoming                  19 pts
7.     Albright                      13 pts
8.     Alvernia                       9 pts.