Defending America East Champion Northeastern University, which has won seven conference titles in 12 years, has been chosen by a vote of the coaches to repeat as champion this season. The Huskies received four of a possible six first-place votes and 34 points overall. Crosstown rival Boston University, which has four America East titles to its name, was second with a first-place vote and 27 points.
University of Maine was third with 24 votes. University of New Hampshire, the only school other than Northeastern and Boston University to win an America East title (1998), received a first-place vote and 22 points overall to finish fourth. University of Vermont (12) and University at Albany (7) rounded out the poll.
The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
Northeastern (9-0 in America East, 16-7 overall in 2001) returns nine starters from its championship team, including America East Offensive Player of the Year Sarah Broderick, who had 12 goals and seven assists for 31 points last year, and senior Fior Arrindell, a first-team all-conference selection. America East Coach of the Year Cheryl Murtagh also returns Rookie of the Year Liane Dixon, who scored 11 goals and added six assists for 28 points in 2001. The Huskies did lose America East Defensive Player of the Year Kelly Williams, the Most Outstanding Player at the America East Championship, and two-time all-conference selection Kathleen Madaus, who was 10-6 with a conference-leading 1.30 goals against average in 2001.
Boston University (6-3, 8-11) is coming off only its second losing season in the last 18 years. Senior Susan Harrington, a two-time all-conference selection, is back in goal after posting an 8-11 mark with a 2.32 goals against average. Junior Whitney Peabody, who scored six goals a season ago, is the leading-returning scorer for Coach Sally Starr.
Maine (6-3, 10-8) made its first America East Championship appearance since 1997 and dropped a 2-1 decision to champion Northeastern in the semifinals last year. Senior Jen Johnstone is the conference's leading-returning scorer with 11 goals and five assists for 27 points (1.59 ppg). Junior Karyn Magno, who had nine goals and three assists for 21 points last year, also returns. Coach Terry Kix's team also includes junior Jaye Lance, who was 10-8 with a 1.69 goals against average.
New Hampshire (3-6, 7-12) slumped last season after earning the America East regular-season title in 2000 and receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship. First-team all-conference choice Marcie Boyer, who scored eight goals and had an assist for 17 points, and three-time all-conference choice Cameron Schmitz lead Coach Robin Balducci's team in its quest to return to the conference championship.
Vermont (3-6, 7-12) has shown steady improvement in Coach Nikki Houghton's four prior years in Burlington. With all 11 starters back, including second-team all-conference choice Sara Mercanti, who led the team in scoring with 11 goals and two assists for 24 points, and 2000 America East Rookie of the Year Whitney Gage, the Catamounts are hoping for their first America East Championship berth since 1991.
Albany (2-7, 5-12) coach Deborah Fiore added 10 newcomers as the Great Danes enter their second year in America East.
| Team (First Place Votes)
| Points
| Northeastern (4)
| 34
| Boston U. (1)
| 27
| Maine
| 24
| New Hampshire (1)
| 22
| Vermont
| 12
| Albany
| 7
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