GORHAM, Maine – Receiving 29 points, the University of Southern Maine Huskies' women's soccer team has been chosen to finish sixth in the 2021 Little East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Earning six first-place votes, UMass Boston's 61 points has the Beacons predicted to finish at the top of the table this season. Western Connecticut State University is picked to finish second with 55 points and two first place nods, while Eastern Connecticut State University's 48 points and one first-place vote has the Warriors predicted to finish third.
Returning to the Hannaford Field pitch for a full season for the first time since 2019, the Huskies' begin their 2021 campaign at home on Wednesday, September 1 (4:00 pm) hosting non-conference opponent Thomas College.
Led by fourth-year head coach
Seth Benjamin '00, the Huskies' return several key players from the 2019 squad that compiled a record of 8-10-1 overall and 2-6 in the Little East. Among the returning players are former All-Conference picks forward
Ciera Berthiaume (Windham, Maine) and midfielder
Alex Allain (Carmel, Maine/Hermon). A 2018 All-LEC midfielder, Allain had four goals and three assists in 25 games for the Huskies in 2019. In 2018, Allain had seven goals and seven assists, including a season and career-opening hat trick against Mitchell College. In two full seasons, Allain has 11 goals and 10 assists for 32 points. She is presently tied for sixth in career assists and is in the top 20 for total points (33 points). A two-time All-LEC forward (2018, 2019), Berthiaume has led USM in scoring in each of its last two seasons. In 59 games, Berthiaume has 59 points on 24 goals and 11 assists. Her 11 assists are fifth in USM career records, while the Huskies' forward is creeping up on the program's career goals scored record with 24 goals. Husky Hall of Famer Ali Hathaway '01 owns the record with 28.
An alum of Southern Maine, Benjamin earned 2018 LEC Coach of the Year honors after leading USM to a program best 14 wins against five losses and a draw, including a 5-3 mark in LEC action. In two full seasons with the Huskies, Benjamin has a record of 22-15-2.
| 2021 Little East Conference Women's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll (FPV) |
| 1. |
UMass Boston |
61 points |
(6) |
| 2. |
Western Connecticut |
55 points |
(2) |
| 3. |
Eastern Connecticut |
48 points |
(1) |
| 4 |
Keene State |
45 points |
|
| 5. |
Castleton |
37 points |
|
| 6. |
Southern Maine |
29 points |
|
| 7. |
Plymouth State |
21 points |
|
| 8. |
UMass Dartmouth |
18 points |
|
| 9. |
Rhode Island College |
10 points |
|
-cac-
