UAlbany, Defending America East Champions Ranked 17th in Kookaburra/NFHCA Preseason Coaches’ Poll 2011

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany has been ranked in the 2011 preseason Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I National Coaches Poll, as announced on Tuesday by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association. The Great Danes are No. 17 in the poll.

UAlbany will look to its two seniors, Christina Patrick and Erin Crosson, and seven other returnees to lead a large group of newcomers in the 2011 season. Patrick led the team in scoring (16 goals and 9 assists) and Crosson was a strong back for the Great Danes' defense. Among the returning are last season's America East Conference Rookie of the Year Corrine McConville and Goalkeeper of the Year Kristi Troch.

Added to the roster are graduate student Katharina Helling from Germany and Michigan State transfer Chantae Miller, both of whom will add to the offense. Having a rich history with Lehighton High School in Pennsylvania, this year's squad added two more graduates, midfielders Echo Bretz and Jordan Homyak, each coming off strong careers. International students, Karlijn van Dijsseldonk and Amy Nicklin, along with Alyssa Brand and Chloe Pachuilo are expected to contribute as well.

The season officially begins this coming Saturday, Aug. 27, as UAlbany meets Robert Morris for a 1:00 p.m. start in Spring City, Pa. The home opener will take place at Alumni Turf Field on Wednesday, Aug. 31 as the Great Danes host Stanford, ranked No. 20 in the NFHCA preseason poll.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information