Field Hockey Picked Unanimously to Win America East
AMERICA EAST RELEASE
CAMBRIDGE, MASS. - The University at Albany field hockey team was selected as the preseason America East favorite by unanimous decision, the league announced on Thursday.
The second-straight year the Great Danes have been picked to win the league, UAlbany went 16-5 (4-1 AE) last season en route to an appearance in the league championship. Head coach Phil Sykes has led the Purple & Gold to three conference championships.
UAlbany received all possible first-place votes for a total of 25 points. Defending league champion New Hampshire was picked to finish second with 20 points. Maine garnered one first-place vote to earn the third slot and 18 points. Associate member Fairfield came in at No. 4 with 13 points. UMass Lowell (fifth, eight points) and Vermont (sixth, six points) rounded out the poll.
The Great Danes return America East Midfielder and Rookie of the Year Paula Heuser to highlight the 2014 roster. The All-America Second Team selection led the league in points last season. Sykes also returns NFHCA All-Region pick Fiori Van Rijswijk, who anchors the defense with 2013 All-Conference Second Team defenders Jaclyn Hibbs and Jordyn Homyak. Goalkeeper Maxi Primus returns to the cage after posting five shutouts and a league-high goals against average of 1.27 last season.
The Purple & Gold opens its season with three straight home games, beginning Friday, Aug. 29. The Great Danes face Hofstra on Aug. 29, followed by Bryant (Aug. 31) and Ohio State (Sept. 1). All three games are slated to begin at 1:00 p.m.
2014 America East Preseason Poll
|
Rank
|
Team (1st-place votes)
|
Points
|
|
1.
|
UAlbany (5)
|
25
|
|
2.
|
New Hampshire
|
20
|
|
3.
|
Maine (1)
|
18
|
|
4.
|
Fairfield
|
13
|
|
5.
|
UMass Lowell
|
8
|
|
6.
|
Vermont
|
6
|
