BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Northeast Conference women's golf coaches have chosen the LIU Brooklyn women's golf team to win the 2015 NEC Tournament, it was announced by the league Tuesday. The three-time defending champion Blackbirds received five of a possible seven first-place votes.

Saint Francis U. received the remaining two first-place votes and followed LIU Brooklyn in second, while Fairleigh Dickinson was picked third. Rounding out the poll were Wagner, Central Connecticut, Sacred Heart and Saint Francis Brooklyn.

The Blackbirds, who returned all five of last season's championship winning squad, enjoyed an excellent fall season, finishing in the top five three times. LIU Brooklyn won the 17-team Rutgers Invitational, as senior Cristina Felip earned co-medalist honors. 

Junior Marisol Doglioli, who set numerous conference records en-route to winning the NEC individual title in 2014, was fifth overall at the St. John's Invitational, while senior Brianna Maynard was named the NEC Golfer of the Month after averaging the team low in October.

LIU Brooklyn begins spring action on March 8 at the Lonnie Barton Invitational at the LPGA International in Daytona Beach, Fla.

2015 Northeast Conference Women's Golf Preseason Poll
1. LIU Brooklyn (5)
2. Saint Francis U (2)
3. Fairleigh Dickinson
4. Wagner
5. Central Connecticut
6. Sacred Heart
7. St. Francis Brooklyn

First place votes in parentheses