BROOKLYN, N.Y. --- The Northeast Conference announced its Women's Basketball Preseason Poll Wednesday morning during its sixth annual NEC Social Media Day at Barclays Center. LIU Brooklyn Women's Basketball was selected to finish ninth overall in the poll of the league's head coaches.

Saint Francis U. - the third seed in last year's NEC Tournament - emerged as the league's preseason favorite to win the conference this year, garnering seven of ten first-place votes. Reigning champion Robert Morris claimed the final three first-place votes to take the second spot in the poll. The top five positions were rounded out by NEC Championship finalist Bryant and semifinalists Sacred Heart and Central Connecticut. The remaining slots on the list were filled by St. Francis Brooklyn (sixth), Fairleigh Dickinson (7th), Mount St. Mary's (8th), LIU (9th) and Wagner (10th).

Third-year head coach Stephanie Del Preore will bring six returners and six newcomers into this year's campaign as the Blackbirds look to bounce back from last season's 6-23 overall record and ninth place mark in the NEC (5-13).

LIU will open the 2017-18 season at Yale on Friday, November 10 at 7 p.m. The Blackbirds' home opener will come a game later on Tuesday, November 14 at 7 p.m. vs. Saint Peter's. NEC play will begin for LIU at home on Friday, December 29 at 2 p.m. in the "Battle of Brooklyn" versus St. Francis Brooklyn.

2017-18 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason Poll
1. Saint Francis U (7)
2. Robert Morris (3)
3. Bryant
4. Sacred Heart
5. Central Connecticut
6. St. Francis Brooklyn
7. Fairleigh Dickinson
8. Mount St. Mary's
9. LIU BROOKLYN
10. Wagner

2017-18 NEC Women's Basketball Preseason All-NEC Team
Katherine Haines, SHU, R-Jr, F, 6-2, Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park
Ace Harrison, SFU, Gr, F, 6-2, Baltimore, MD/Digital Harbor (Maryland)
Jessica Kovatch, SFU, Jr, G, 5-9, Phillipsburg, PA/Phillipsburg
Amina Markovic, FDU, Sr, F, 6-1, Brooklyn, NY/Midwood
Megan Smith, RMU, Sr, F, 6-1, Barrie, Ontario/Eastview