Millersville, Pa. – Coming off of a season-ending No. 10 national ranking and the squad’s best finish in 10 years, the Millersville field hockey team enters the 2010 campaign with high expectations. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) coaches’ preseason poll, announced Tuesday by league officials, ranked the Marauders fourth in the Eastern Division.
This marks the second year in a row that Millersville was selected to the fourth slot, one spot ahead of C.W. Post. Four-time defending national champion and 16-time conference champion Bloomsburg sits atop the ranking with all five first place votes. East Stroudsburg sits in second, followed by Kutztown in third.
In the Western Division, conference runner-up Shippensburg holds the first-place ranking with all five first place votes. The Lady Raiders are followed by Mercyhurst, Mansfield, Indiana (Pa.) and Slippery Rock.
The Marauders’ offense is led by senior
Emily Woodland, along with All-PSAC East Second Team and womensfieldhockey.com All-Rookie Team selection
Melissa McCarthy. The Black and Gold defense is secured by All-PSAC East Second Team honoree
Maria Thompson and
Jessica Cave in back, and
Sara Dickinson in the cage.
Under third-year head coach Shelly Behrens, Millersville is looking to surprise the conference this season. With all but four players returning and a handful of talented newcomers, the Marauder squad has grown and strengthened.
“I don’t worry about preseason polls,” said Behrens.”We take advantage of the time we have together now and play hard at all times. We’ve got a lot to show this season.”
The Marauders’ season-opener is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 5 in Indiana (Pa.) against No. 7 Bentley. Game time is slated for 1 p.m.
PSAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
Eastern Division
1. Bloomsburg (5)
2. East Stroudsburg
3. Kutztown
4. Millersville
5. C.W. Post
Western Division
1. Shippensburg (5)
2. Mercyhurst
3. Mansfield
4. IUP
5. Slippery Rock