Worcester, Mass. --- The Worcester State College women's soccer team is ranked 21st in the nation according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III national preseason coaches' poll. The Lancers have made four NCAA tournament appearances in each of the last four seasons and they have captured four straight Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference championships in the process.

Last year the program reached the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 round before bowing out to Western Connecticut 2-1 in double overtime.

"This year we should be right in that mix," said first-year Head Coach Kevin Cumberbatch. "We are looking to go deeper into the NCAA Tournament. We are looking to continue to build off of last year."

Worcester State boasts the return of seniors Tiffany Rotatori (Auburn, MA), Katelyn Bonetti (Plymouth, MA) and Amanda Santos (Milford, MA), who were each named to the MASCAC-All Conference second team last year. Rotatori led the team in goals (13) and points (29) last season and she also notched five game-winning markers. Rotatori also finished the season second in the MASCAC in both goals and points.

"Rotatori just knows how to finish games," said assistant coach Brooke Johns. "In the NCAA's is when she really came up with clutch shots."

Rotatori scored six of the Lancers nine goals, with at least one goal coming in each of the Lancers six postseason games.

Santos registered a team third-best six goals and three assists while Bonetti added five goals and four assists. Look for senior co-captain Amanda Beaudet (Auburn, MA) and freshman Danielle Clifford (Attleboro, MA) to also make an impact up front for the Lancers.

"Our veteran forwards have learned and understood the system," said Cumberbatch. "Santos is a playmaker and Clifford should give us some speed up top."

At midfield the Lancers lose both All-American Lauren Cush and All-New England Kelsey Irish to graduation, but they return junior Shannon Feeley (W. Springfield, MA) and sophomore Kara Rogato (N. Andover, MA) who each played in 21 games for Worcester State.

"While it's tough to replace veterans and senior captains (with Cush and Irish), we are replacing experience with more experience," said Cumberbatch.

Freshmen Jennifer Sheehan (Colchester, CT) and Christina Vernaci (Saugus, MA) will also vie for spots in the midfield as training camp begins.

Senior co-captain Michelle Astuccio (Foxboro, MA) and junior's Stephanie Demake (Auburn, MA) and Erica Lyman (Feeding Hills, MA) return to form a solid returning defensive unit that posted a 0.99 goals against average, which tied for the best mark in the MASCAC. Demake and Astuccio were also each named to the All Conference first-team last season. First-year Nikki Scott (Berlin, MA) will join the group in the back-field for Worcester State.

On the bench the Lancers have solid replacements that will help keep the team fresh when it's time to play their competitive schedule and for the teams during conference play. Up front sophomore Sarah Connors (Gardner, MA) and freshman Alicia Cloutier (Ware, MA) lead the pack as forwards while junior Kimberly Vail (West Newbury, MA), sophomores Stefani Bonetti (Plymouth, MA), Toni DeAngelo (Lowell, MA), Karen Feeley (W. Springfield, MA) and freshmen Samantha Jamieson (Foxboro, MA) and Kaitlyn Johnson (Uncasville, CT) will look to get some reps on defense.

Minding the net for the Blue and Gold will be sophomore Erin Doherty (Uxbridge, MA), who returns after a sensational freshman campaign. Last season Doherty notched a MASCAC third-best 92 saves to go along with an eye-popping 0.97 goals against average. In 22 games Doherty registered 11 shutouts, which includes #6 William Smith in the first-round of last year's NCAA Tournament. Doherty will be backed up by classmate Rachael Armenti (W. Boylston, MA), who should see a little bit more action between the pipes this season.

"Doherty is a great shot stopper," said Cumberbatch. "She's not afraid to come off the line and she does a great job of making saves when the game is on the line."

Worcester State will open the season with six of their first nine games on the road, with visits to #12 Wheaton on September 3 and ECAC New England runner-up Keene State on October 1. One week later, the Lancers continue their schedule when they visit #4 Western Connecticut on October 9.

"We just have to handle it by preparing for it with mental and physical preparation," said Cumberbatch of their team's grueling schedule. "It helps our younger players learn and it's when senior leadership really comes into play."

After hosting conference rival Bridgewater State on October 11, Worcester State will travels to Westfield State, Mass Maritime and Salem State to close out their conference schedule.

"The MASCAC will be tough this year again," said Cumberbatch. "Everyone will be hunting for Worcester State because we have the bull's-eye on our backs."