UAlbany Field Hockey Chosen Second in America East Preseason Poll

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Cambridge, Mass. – The University at Albany field hockey team has been picked to finish second in the America East Conference in the 2007 preseason poll, as voted by the conference’s head coaches. Boston University, which earned all five possible first-place votes, was unanimously chosen to finish first for the third-straight year. UAlbany claimed the final first-place vote and 21 points overall to place second in this year’s poll.

Vermont (16 points), Maine (13 points), New Hampshire (10 points) and new associate member Fairfield (5 points) round out the six-team poll.

UAlbany, which claimed a share of last season’s regular season crown, returns the conference’s offensive player of the year from 2006, Michelle Simpson, who finished third in the conference in both points (35) and goals (14). Also returning are A-East first team members Jess Lindsey and Ashley Ross, who both helped anchor a defense which allowed just 1.37 goals per game a year ago. Fourth-year head coach Phil Sykes will also welcome 10 freshmen to the UAlbany squad this season.

The Great Danes start play on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the James Madison Tournament. UAlbany will play Appalachian State on Saturday before facing off against the host Bulldogs on Sunday.

2007 America East Conference Preseason Field Hockey Poll

1. Boston U., (5) 25 points; 2. UAlbany, (1) 21 points; 3. Vermont, 16 points; 4. Maine, 13 points; 5. New Hampshire, 10 points; 6. Fairfield, 5 points.

*First place votes in parentheses ()