Field Hockey Moves Up to Fifth in NFHCA Top-10 Ledger
CHANDLER, Ariz. (Sept. 17, 2013) - The National Field Hockey Coaches Association, in conjunction with Penn Monto, put out its newest Division II Top-10 tally on Tuesday, and LIU Post climbed two spots to fifth on the poll. The Pioneers are coming off a season-opening 2-0 week, following wins at American International and Saint Anselm.
Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference rivals Shippensburg and West Chester traded places at the No. 1 and 2 positions, respectively. The Raiders, who beat the Rams last Tuesday, 4-2, to snatch the top ranking, totaled 178 points and 16 first-place votes. Meanwhile, WCU amassed 152 points and one first-place nod. Millersville (141 points) got the final first-place vote, and sat third on the ledger.
Stonehill, which opened up at 3-0, showcased the largest improvement. The Skyhawks moved up six notches from 10th to fourth. Yet, Bloomsburg fell off the most, dropping from third into a tie for seventh.
Four other institutions made their 2013 debuts in the NFHCA Top-10 to close out the census. Those programs are Kutztown (No. 6), Limestone (No. 7), Mercyhurst (No. 9) and AIC (No. 10).
Head Coach Raenee Savin's Pioneers return to the field Tuesday (Sept. 17) in a 4 p.m. tilt versus Adelphi at Motamed Field in Garden City, N.Y.
2013 NFHCA/Penn Monto Preseason Poll - Sept. 17, 2013
1. Shippensburg (16 First-Place Votes) - 178 Points
2. West Chester (One First-Place Vote) - 152 Points
3. Millersville (One First-Place Vote) - 141 Points
4. Stonehill - 123 Points
5. LIU Post - 80 Points
6. Kutztown - 60 Points
T-7. Bloomsburg - 47 Points
T-7. Limestone - 47 Points
9. Mercyhurst - 45 Points
10. American International - 26 Points