CAMBRIDGE, Mass.-- University at Albany secured the number one seed for next week's 2008 America East Field Hockey Championship, and also earned the right to host the four-team tournament. University of New Hampshire, University of Maine and Boston University also earned berths into this year's championship scheduled for Friday, November 7 and Sunday, November 9.
The Great Danes (10-9 overall, 4-1 AE), the preseason pick of the coaches, are hosting the conference tournament for the first time since joining the America East Conference, and are also looking for their first America East Championship. The past three championships have been hosted and won by Boston University.
New Hampshire (8-10, 3-2 AE) goes into the tournament as the second seed, winning a
tiebreaker over both Maine (6-9, 3-2 AE) and Boston University (10-9, 3-2 AE) based on total goals
scored in conference games. A tiebreaker also had to be used to
determine the three and four seeds, which the Black Bears won based on
head-to-head play with the Terriers. Maine defeated Boston University
earlier this season, 2-1.
The Great Danes defeated the Wildcats, 3-1, Sunday afternoon in Durham, N.H. to break the tie atop the standings and pull ahead of New Hampshire. Kara Napolitano put the Wildcats on top first, but three answered goals from juniors Jess Lindsey, Nicole Savage and senior Michele Polizois, all off penalty corners, made the difference in the game.
On Saturday, Boston University and Maine both won their conference finales for the chance to play in the tournament. The Terriers defeated the Catamounts in Burlington, 2-1, with an overtime goal from graduate student Sheena Berry. The Black Bears got the job done in regulation, upending Fairfield, 3-1.
Semifinal game times on Friday are scheduled for 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. in Albany, N.Y. The championship title game on Sunday will be played at 1 p.m. with an automatic berth into the NCAA Championship on the line.
2008 America East Field Hockey Championship
Friday, November 7 - semifinals
No. 4 Boston University at No. 1 Albany, time TBD
No. 3 Maine vs. No. 2 New Hampshire, time TBD
Sunday, November 9 - final
Boston University/Albany vs. Maine/New Hampshire, 1 p.m.