CAMBRIDGE, Mass. ? For the third-straight year, Boston University is the unanimous preseason favorite to win the America East Field Hockey Championship, according to a vote of the conference’s head coaches. The Terriers received all five possible first-place votes (coaches are not allowed to vote for their own team) and 25 points overall. The University at Albany received one first-place vote, 21 points overall, to place second in this year’s poll. Click here for complete poll.
The University of Vermont (16 points), University of Maine (13) University of New Hampshire (10) and new associate member Fairfield University (5) round out the six-team poll. The top four teams in the league will advance to the America East Championship with the winner of the tournament receiving the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The Terriers (14-7 overall record, 4-1 America East record) defeated Maine, 4-1, in the 2006 Championship to advance to the NCAA Tournament where they fell to Connecticut in the first round. All six of Boston U.’s all-conference selections, including Rookie of the Year Suus Dekker, return in 2007. First-team honoree senior Sarah Shute led the Terriers with 34 points last year at forward, while senior Pam Spuehler heads up the midfield, where she started all 21 games last season. Three true freshmen will try to help guide Boston U. to their third America East regular season crown in as many years.
The Great Danes (12-7, 4-1) won part of the regular season title in 2006, but lost a 1-0 heartbreaker to Maine in the league tournament semifinals. The 2006 Offensive Player of the Year Michelle Simpson and Defensive Player of the Year Arlette Westdorp will return to the Albany midfield this season. Also returning are sophomore back Jessica Lindsey and junior goalkeeper Ashley Ross, who each garnered first-team all-conference recognition. Simpson, a junior, finished third in the conference in both points (35) and goals (14) and will continue to complement a tough defense which allowed just 1.37 goals per game last season.
Maine (8-11, 3-2) features 12 returning letterwinners from a Black Bears squad which advanced to the Championship title game in 2006 as the three seed. First-team all-conference midfielder Amy Zdrojesky was second on the team with 13 points last year, while junior forward Nicole Emery led the team with 14 points. Senior goalkeepeer Rebecca Giroux, a second-team all-conference selection, finished with the second-most saves in the conference (96). The Black Bears welcome seven midfielders and a back to the 2007 roster.
The Catamounts (11-8, 3-2) scored more goals than any other team in the league a year ago with an offense led by senior Danielle Collins. Collins, a first-team all-conference pick, led the league in goals (18) and points (45). Junior Maegan Luce followed closely behind with 17 goals and 42 points of her own to finish second in the league in both categories.
New Hampshire (3-15, 1-4) features two returning players with 2006 all-conference honors on their resumes. Second-teamer senior back Samantha Geary was one of four Wildcats to start all 18 games and played a key role in both UNH penalty corner units. Sophomore Megan Shea received an all-rookie team nod last year, and finished second on the team in both goals (five) and points (12).
Fairfield (6-13, 4-4 NEC) joins the conference as an associate member after spending the last three seasons competing as an associate member of the Northeast Conference. The Stags will feature junior forward Emily Janis, the team’s second-leading scorer last season with 12 points.