FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 31, 2007

Rhode Island College Fall Sports
Little East Pre-Season Picks Announced

Providence, RI—The Little East Conference recently released its 2007 preseason coaches’ polls in the sports of men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. Rhode Island College is predicted to finish in a three-way tie in volleyball, while ranking fourth in both men’s and women’s soccer, after a vote by the eight conference head coaches, respectively.

Under the direction of first-year Head Coach Luis Carvalho, the Rhode Island College women’s volleyball team recorded 32 total points, including a first-place ballot and two second-place tallies, to share the No. 3 ranking with Plymouth State and Western Connecticut. Keene State begins the campaign perched atop the conference standings with 42 total points, while Eastern Connecticut is just five points off the pace. Last season, the Anchorwomen posted an overall record of 20-13 and reached the Little East Conference Tournament Championship Match for the first time in the program’s history. The 2007 squad showcases explosive firepower upfront with senior hitters Sherri Heard (Coventry, RI) and Madison Greene (Cranston, RI) leading the charge. Carvalho makes his collegiate coaching debut at the Springfield College Tournament on Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

            Head Men’s Soccer Coach John Mello led his charges to their fourth consecutive Little East Conference Tournament appearance last season. The 2006 Anchormen posted an overall record of 10-6 and claimed the program’s signature victory, defeating No. 9 Montclair State, 3-2, on Oct. 5. Rhode Island College welcomes back seven starters from a season ago, including first-team All-Little East defender James Nigrelli (Ashaway, RI). The Anchormen kick into action at the Roger Williams Classic on Sept. 1-2. 

Under the guidance of second-year Head Coach Denis Chartier, the Rhode Island College women’s soccer has been tabbed fourth in the preseason rankings for the second straight season. The Anchorwomen enjoyed the program’s most successful campaign last fall, recording a single-season high 14 victories and earning a berth in the eight-team ECAC New England Tournament. The Anchorwomen are a veteran-laden squad, returning 13 student-athletes, including nine seniors, from last season’s club. Senior striker Gina Calenda (Warren, RI) paced the Anchorwomen in scoring last season, registering nine goals and seven assists for 25 points. She is just 11 markers shy of the program’s all-time career goals record, set by Joan Hencler ’99 (38). Rhode Island College makes its 2007 debut at 4 p.m. on August 31, when the Anchorwomen host St. John Fisher.

Fans can log on to http://www.ric.edu/athletics/index.html to find all the official news and statistics on each of Rhode Island College’s 19 intercollegiate athletic teams.

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