Women's Soccer

August 9, 2007

WATERBURY, Conn.-John Benitez will take to the pitch for the first time as the Post University women's soccer head coach on Sunday afternoon, as the Eagles begin preseason preparations for the 2007 season opener against the University of Bridgeport in the second-annual Connecticut Cup, on Friday, Aug. 24.

Last season, the Eagles enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, finishing with an 11-8-4 overall record and a 7-2 mark in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). The Eagles also reached the semifinals of both the CACC Women's Soccer Championships, and the ECAC Division II Championships. Post also tied the school-record for wins in a season, and set new program marks for conference wins and points with 37.

The Eagles will report for orientation meetings, medical tests, and team pictures, before departing for Trinity Pawling Prep School, for preseason camp. The team will return to campus on Wednesday, Aug. 15, to continue its preseason.

Post will begin the season against the host Purple Knights on their brand new soccer stadium. The Eagles fell 2-0 to the Purple Knights in the second-round of last year's Connecticut Cup, and 1-0 in the semifinals of the ECAC Championships. In the second-round of the Connecticut Cup, on Sunday, Aug. 26, the Eagles will square off with the University of New Haven. UNH won in the season-opener for both teams last season.

The Connecticut Cup features the four NCAA Division II women's soccer programs in the State of Connecticut, the University of Bridgeport, the University of New Haven, Post University, and Southern Connecticut State University. Last year's Connecticut Cup was held at Dodd Stadium on the New Haven campus.

Post opens the home portion of its schedule on Wednesday, Aug. 29 against Bentley College, with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. Last season, the Eagles were 7-1-3 in contests at LaMoy Field.

The Eagles open the CACC portion of its schedule on Saturday, Sept. 8 at Holy Family University. Post's first CACC home match, comes against conference newcomer Chestnut Hill College on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Benitez was a part of a very successful coaching staff at Western Connecticut State led by Head Coach Joe Mingachos. During his time on the Danbury campus, the program made nine post-season appearances and six trips to the NCAA Division III Championships. Last season, the Colonials advanced to the NCAA's with a 20-2-1 overall record and finished the year ranked number-two in the NSCAA Top-25 National Poll.