RICHMOND, Va. – The Colonial Athletic Association released its 2017 Women's Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll on Friday, August 11.
 
Elon University seniors Kendall Ballotti and Grace Bennett collected honorable mention accolades on the 2017 Preseason All-CAA team.
 
Ballotti was a All-CAA First Team selection as a junior in 2016 after scoring three goals and adding one assist for seven total points at the center back position. She also logged a team-high 1,581 minutes and became program's first All-CAA First Team selection. Ballotti anchored a back line that posted three CAA shutouts last season, which ranked second in the league.
 
Bennett earned Preseason All-CAA recognition after starting in all 18 matches she played in last season. Starting in the central midfield, Bennett clocked 1,367 minutes of action, scoring a goal and adding an assist.
 
The Phoenix squad returns 19 players from the 2016 season, which includes nine starters. The maroon and gold also adds 10 newcomers to the squad as the team gets set for its fourth season in the CAA.
 
Elon was selected tied for eighth in the preseason league poll, compiling a total of 20 points.
 
Following its exhibition match on Sunday at East Carolina, the Phoenix opens the 2017 season on Friday, August 18, on the road at North Florida. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Hodges Stadium.
 

2017 CAA Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
Place. Team		Points
1. Northeastern		81
2. William & Mary		69
3. Drexel		56
James Madison		56
5. Hofstra		48
6. UNCW		46
7. College of Charleston		36
8. Delaware		20
Elon		20
10. Towson		18
2017 Preseason All-CAA Women's Soccer Team
Name	School		Pos.	Cl.	Hometown
Haley Crawford	James Madison		F	So.	Port Matilda, Pa.
Kayla Cappuzzo	Northeastern		F	Sr.	Merrick, N.Y.
Vanessa Kara	Drexel		F	Jr.	Burlington, N.J.
Hannah Rosenblatt	Northeastern		F	Jr.	Lincoln, Mass.
Sarah Segan	William & Mary		F	So.	Fogelsville, Pa.
Hannah Lopiccolo	Northeastern		M	Sr.	Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
Shaelyn McCarty	Drexel		M	Jr.	Doylestown, Pa.
Rachel Moore	William & Mary		M	Sr.	Vienna, Va.
Madeline Anderson	Hofstra		D	Jr.	Westbury, N.Y.
Elyse Branton	William & Mary		D	Sr.	Sterling, Va.
Meredith Tunney	College of Charleston		D	Jr.	Naperville, Ill.
Christiana Ogunsami	Drexel		GK	Sr.	Cherry Hill, N.J.
2017 CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Hannah Lopiccolo, Northeastern
Honorable Mention: Kendall Ballotti, Elon (D); Grace Bennett, Elon (M); Maddie Bove, Towson (M); Maddie Brill-Edwards, CofC (D); Haley Kent, William & Mary (D); Mackenzie Kober, William & Mary (M); Nathalie Nidetch, Northeastern (GK); Serenity Waters, UNCW (F)