Hempstead, N.Y. -- After earning a share of the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title in 2015, Hofstra was picked to finish third in the CAA this season in the preseason coaches' poll released Friday. Seniors midfielder Jill Mulholland and defender Emily Agudelo were named to the preseason All-CAA team.

The Pride earned 69 points, with two first-place votes, to garner the third-place ranking in the coaches' poll. Hofstra shared the regular season title with William & Mary in 2015, and the Tribe was chosen to once again finish first, getting six first-place votes. CAA Tournament champion James Madison was selected to finish second. The Dukes also received two first-place votes.

Mulholland was named to the All-CAA First-Team at the conclusion of the 2015 season after finishing with seven goals and five assists. After suffering two major injuries, Mulholland played a full season in 2015, starting all 21 games and finishing second on the team in goals. Agudelo was named to the third team in 2015 for her solid defending anchoring the Hofstra backline. She also started all 21 contests and added two goals and two assists. As senior leaders, Mulholland and Agudelo will play significant roles for the Pride both on and off the pitch this season.

Sophomore defender Madeline Anderson, a Second-Team All-CAA and All-Rookie selection last season, and junior forward Kristin Desmond, who finished last season second on the team with 18 points, were named honorable mentions.

Hofstra opens its season at 5 p.m. on Aug. 19 against Buffalo in the Penn State Invitational.  
 
2016 CAA Women's Soccer Preseason Poll
 

Pl.	Team	Pts. (First Place Votes)
1.	William & Mary	76 (6)
2.	James Madison	73 (2)
3.	Hofstra	69 (2)
4.	Northeastern	54
5.	UNCW	45
6.	Delaware	41
7.	Drexel	36
8.	Elon	23
9.	Towson	17
10.	College of Charleston	16

 
2016 Preseason All-CAA Women's Soccer Team
 

Name	School	Pos.	Cl.	Hometown
Kayla Cappuzzo	Northeastern	F	Jr.	Merrick, N.Y.
Ashley Herndon	James Madison	F	Sr.	Ashburn, Va.
Natalie Zelenky	Delaware	F	Sr.	Mechanicsburg, Pa.
Allie Bunner	James Madison	M	Sr.	Bristow, Va.
Hannah Lopiccolo	Northeastern	M	Jr.	Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
Rachel Moore	William & Mary	M	Jr.	Vienna, Va.
Jill Mulholland	Hofstra	M	Sr.	Levittown, N.Y.
Vanessa Kara	Drexel	F/M	So.	Burlington, N.J.
Emily Agudelo	Hofstra	D	Sr.	Long Beach, N.Y.
Mackenzie Dowd	Northeastern	D	Sr.	Gig Harbor, Wash.
Clara Logsdon	William & Mary	D	Sr.	Clifton, Va.
Carolyn Huddy	UNCW	GK	Sr.	Huntersville, N.C.

2016 CAA Preseason Player of the Year: Ashley Herndon, James Madison

Honorable Mention: Madeline Anderson, Hofstra (D); Tori Baliatico, Elon (F); Elyse Branton, William & Mary (D/M); Carina Deandreis, Northeastern (M); Kristin Desmond, Hofstra (F); Sami Grasso, William & Mary (F); Madison Melnick, UNCW (D); Natalia Pinkney, Towson (F); Rio Speller-Drews (D), College of Charleston; Jennie Sroba, James Madison (D)