Field Hockey Ranked Seventh in NFHCA Division II Preseason Top-10
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Aug. 27, 2013) - The LIU Post field hockey team will begin the 2013 season listed seventh in the nation, according to Tuesday's NFHCA/Penn Monto Division II Preseason Top-10 Poll.
Defending NCAA Division II national champion West Chester claimed the top spot in the initial ledger. The Rams earned 158 points and 14 of 17 first-place votes. Fellow PSAC schools Shippensburg (135 points), Bloomsburg (111 points) and Millersville (110 points), which claimed a first-place nod, respectively followed in second, third, and fourth place.
Merrimack narrowly beat out Indiana (Pa.) for the fifth slot, racking up 73 points to the Crimson Hawks' 71. The Pioneers (50 points) landed the No. 7 ranking, while Bentley (43 points), East Stroudsburg (41 points) and Stonehill (35 points, one first-place vote) rounded it out.
LIU Post returns both of its leading scorers from 2012. Forward Carlee Dragon (Bridgewater, N.J.), an NFHCA All-America first-team selection a year ago, led the Pioneers in points with 44 (19 G, 6 A). Fellow forward Keliann Margiotta (Sewell, N.J.), who earned PSAC East Freshman of the Year accolades, checked in 13 tallies and three helpers for a 29-point output.
Head Coach Raenee Savin and her LIU Post squad open the 2013 campaign on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in Springfield, Mass. at Northeast-10 Conference foe American International. The contest is set for a 7 p.m. start.
2013 NFHCA/Penn Monto Division II Preseason Poll
1. West Chester (14 First-Place Votes) - 158 Points
2. Shippensburg - 135 Points
3. Bloomsburg - 111 Points
4. Millersville (One First-Place Vote) - 110 Points
5. Merrimack - 73 Points
6. Indiana (Pa.) - 71 Points
7. LIU Post - 15 Points
8. Bentley - 43 Points
9. East Stroudsburg - 41 Points
10. Stonehill (One First-Place Vote) - 35 Points