New for the 2011-2012 seasons, the America East Daily Word, a collaboration between AmericaEast.com and AExtra, will recap the previous day's games and on goings on our nine campuses and provide links to recaps, previews, features and exclusive coverage.
Our day is almost complete, but we’ve still got time for
the Daily Word.
It’s hard to argue with the success of the America East
field hockey teams so far this fall.
They’ve played top notch schedules, knocked off opponents from the Big
East, ACC and the Big Ten, four of the six teams are nationally ranked in the
NFHCA Coaches’ Poll and we are still only in September.
Conference play should be intense with all these teams
playing so well right now.
Let’s crunch the numbers, shall we? First, the national rankings. New Hampshire jumped from No. 10 to No. 7
this week in the poll after staying unbeaten at 8-0. Maine entered the poll for the first time
this season at No. 14 after it stretched its winning streak to eight
games. Albany still stands pat at No. 16
and Boston U. checks in at No. 17.
In addition, an America East team or player leads the
nation in seven major offensive and defensive categories. Maine ranks first in scoring average (5.2),
goals per game (5.2), scoring margin (3.76), points per game (13.89) and Kelly
Newton tops the nation in assists per game.
The seventh-ranked Wildcats take the cake in goals against average (.75),
winning percentage (1.000) and Hayley Rausch is tied for the national lead with
3.63 points per game. All six America
East squads rank in the top-50 in goals per game and goal against average,
among other categories.
Pretty solid.
For more of the Daily Word, check out the AExtra blog.