NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- Caldwell University women's soccer has been selected to finish second in the Central Atlantic Athletic Conference (CACC) preseason coaches' poll, the league announced today. The Cougars finished 12-5-2 last year, the program's most wins since 2018, including a 9-2-0 CACC mark, advancing to the CACC Championship Game for first time since winning the 2018 crown.

Under the direction of third-year Head Coach Sammy Adjei, Caldwell returns seven players who started 10 or more games in 2024, including CACC Player of the Year senior forward Taina Gervais (Port-Au-Prince, Haiti) and Second Team All-CACC performers, sophomore midfielder Melissa Pires (Elizabeth, N.J.) and senior goalkeeper Ariana Gaminara (Las Vegas).

Caldwell opens the 2025 season at Mansfield on Sept. 4. The squad's first home match is set for Sept. 16 vs. Dominican University, which also serves as the CACC opener.

The Cougars received three first place votes in the poll, slotting in behind defending CACC champion Jefferson, which pulled eight championship nods, and ahead of #3 pick Bridgeport, which garnered the other first place selection.

CACC Women's Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll (first place votes in parentheses):

1. Jefferson (8), 117 pts.
2. Caldwell (3), 102 
3. Bridgeport (1), 91
4. Wilmington, 90
5. Georgian Court, 81
6. Dominican, 77
7. Holy Family, 66
8. Chestnut Hill, 56
9. Goldey-Beacom, 40
10. Felician, 32
11. Post, 27
12. Lincoln, 13