Edison, N.J. – Canisius College, the defending MAAC Champion, is the top choice for the 2009 MAAC softball season, according to a preseason poll voted on by the league’s head coaches.

Canisius finished with 79 points in the poll, 10 points ahead of second-place Niagara University (69).  Fairfield University placed third with 63 points.  Marist College took fourth (43), followed by Iona College and Siena College (39), Manhattan College (33), and Rider University and Saint Peter’s College (20).

Marist’s senior infielder Melissa Giordano was tabbed the 2009 MAAC Softball Preseason Player of the Year.  During her junior campaign, she owned a .365 batting average and collected a league-best 70 hits, 33 runs, 20 RBI and a .583 slugging percentage, en route to earning a spot on the 2008 All-MAAC First Team.   

Joining Giordano in the infield are Fairfield’s Kristin Trifolis, as well as Niagara’s Felicia Coffey and Teresa Healy.  Canisius’ Michelle Fridey is the catcher.  In the outfield are Canisius’ Lauren Hope, Fairfield’s Kristina Longo and Marist’s Jessica Green.  Manhattan’s Danielle Just is the designated player for the third straight year, while Canisius’ Cameron Norton and Siena’s Lauren Weingart are the utility players.  Canisius’ Juliette Bowers was chosen as the Preseason Pitcher of the Year.

           2009 MAAC Softball                                                            2009 MAAC SOFTball

      PRESEASON COACHES’ POLL                                                       PRESEASON TEAM