Westfield, Mass.— 2019 MASCAC regular season champion Westfield State has been picked by the coaches from around the conference to continue their previous success as the 2021 MASCAC Women’s Soccer Champion. The 2020 season was not contested due to the pandemic.

 

The Owls landed in first with seven of eight possible first place votes for 49 points in this year’s poll. Returning to the pitch is All-Conference honoree Jenn Rennich. She started all 18 games for Westfield State in 2019, collecting five goals and 10 assists for 20 points while helping the Owls to the regular season crown with a 6-1 record during conference play.

 

In the second spot is 2019 tournament champion Worcester State with 41 points. The Lancers were 5-1-1 in league action in 2019. MASCAC All-Conference recipient Ali Maldonado is back after finishing the 2019 campaign with 14 goals, which included five game-winners for 28 points.

 

Tied in third place with 35 points are Bridgewater State and Salem State. The Bears finished with a 5-2 mark during league action in 2019 while the Vikings were 5-1-1. Bridgewater State’s Samantha Tomaszewski tallied a goal and four assists to grab a spot on the 2019 All-Conference team and returns this season. For Salem State, 2019 MASCAC Rookie of the Year Madison Pesce returns after spearheading a defense that yielded seven shutouts and just 27 goals in 18 games.

 

Sitting in fifth with 24 points is Framingham State. The Rams collected two MASCAC wins during the 2019 season. Back for Framingham State is Jasmine Lees who was the Rams leading scorer in 2019 with 11 points on five goals and an assist. 

 

Fitchburg State is up next in sixth with 20 points. The Falcons collected two wins in 2019  league action. Shannon McCarthy rejoins the team after collecting two assists for the squad and starting in 18 of the team’s 19 contests.

 

Finishing out the 2021 women’s soccer poll in seventh and eighth are MCLA and Massachusetts Maritime with 13 and 7 points, respectively. Returning for the Trailblazers is Alyssa Porter who netted three goals for six points in 2019. For the Buccaneers, Julia Podchaiski is back after tallying three goals and an assist for seven points last season, which included one game-winner.

 

The MASCAC women’s soccer teams will start the 2021 campaign the week of August 30 with non-conference play. Follow the action on mascac.com and mascac.tv.

 

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

 

1. Westfield State (7) - 49 points

2. Worcester State (1) - 41 points

3. Bridgewater State - 35 points

    Salem State - 35 points

5. Framingham State - 24 points

6. Fitchburg State - 20 points

7. MCLA - 13 points

8. Massachusetts Maritime - 7 points