The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's cross country team was tabbed tenth in the Northeast Conference preseason poll, released by the league, Thursday, Aug. 21.

Three-time defending champion Quinnipiac University received nine-of-eleven first-place votes to secure the No. 1 spot, according to voting conducted by head coaches.  Last year's runner-up, Monmouth University, took second on the list, while Sacred Heart University secured third ? both notching a first-place nod. 

Saint Francis University (PA) and Robert Morris University filled out the top five, followed by Central Connecticut State University in sixth and Wagner College in seventh.  Mount St. Mary's University, Long Island University, FDU, and St. Francis College (NY) rounded out the field.

Head coach Sharlene Milwood-Lee's squad is headlined by senior Jessica Sanders (Maplewood, NJ/Columbia) and junior Hawa Massaquoi (Lawnside, NJ/Haddon Heights) in 2008.  Massaquoi finished immediately behind Sanders for second on the team at the 2007 NEC Championships.  The squad will feature increased depth with the emergence of sophomore Megan Patterson (Freehold, NJ/Freehold Boro) to the upper echelon of the line-up.  Seniors Asha Jones (Glenarden, MD/C.H. Flowers) and Dara Jones (Glenarden, MD/C.H. Flowers) look to stabilize Fairleigh Dickinson with vast meet experience.

The Knights makes their 2008 debut, Saturday, Sept. 6 in the Bronx, NY, competing in the Fordham University Dual.

The 2008 NEC Women's Cross Country Championship will take place on Nov. 1 at Holmdel Park in Holmdel, NJ.  Monmouth will serve as meet host.

2008 NEC Women's Cross Country

Preseason Coaches Poll *

1. Quinnipiac (9)

2. Monmouth (1)

3. Sacred Heart (1)

4. Saint Francis (PA)              

5. Robert Morris

6. Central Connecticut State

7. Wagner

8. Mount St. Mary's

9. Long Island

10. Fairleigh Dickinson

11. St. Francis (NY)

* First place votes in parentheses