ROCHESTER, NY – Stevens Institute of Technology received four first place votes on the way to 59 poll points and the top position in the 2012 Empire 8 Field Hockey Preseason Poll. Washington and Jefferson secured second place with 54 tallies, one point clear of Utica College. The Pioneers earned the remaining top nod amongst their 53 points.
The 2012 field hockey season marks the first inclusion of Houghton College as a competing Empire 8 program. The Highlanders are not eligible for post-season play but will complete a full league schedule.
Stevens (12-8 overall, 6-1 Empire 8 in 2011) is coming off their fifth-straight double-digit victory campaign and has its eye on a return trip to the Empire 8 Championship game. The Ducks were eliminated in the semifinals by Nazareth in 2011, ending a three-year conference title streak. Stevens welcomes back three of its five all-conference performers, including first team choice Mary Nikish (13g, 3a) and honorable mention forward Rachel Chavez, who exploded offensively for 13 goals and nine assists. Starting back Megan Traub helped solidify the defensive line but was also an offensive threat on the penalty corner unit, tallying nine goals and recording nine assists, as the Ducks led the league in scoring average (3.49) and goals scored (70).
Washington and Jefferson College (14-5, 4-3 Empire 8) made program history in 2011 by winning a conference championship and reaching the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time. After falling in the previous four Empire 8 Tournament Championship matches, W&J broke through for its first league title and appear primed to defend their crown in 2012. Erin Barno tied for the league lead with 35 points (13g, 9a) in 2011 and Jennifer Marabella, led the conference in goals scored (15) for the second straight season. W&J’s defense pitched five shutouts in 2011 and allowed just 1.47 goals per game, both the top marks in the Empire 8. The Presidents’ defense is led by Meaghan Thornlow (2 def. saves) and Tori Patrick (5 goals, 5 assists).?
Utica College (11-8, 6-1 Empire 8) looks for its first Empire 8 title since 2006, which marks the Pioneers’ lone conference crown. The Pioneer’s welcome back a pair of All-Conference First Team choices in midfielders Hannah Mackey (13g, 4 a) and Loiuse Steele-Norton (15g, 1a). Mackey, the reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and Steele-Norton helped jumpstart the Pioneer’s to a regular season title.
Nazareth’s (7-12, 4-3 Empire 8) appearance in the 2011 Empire 8 title game was its first championship game experience since winning the league title in 2007. The Golden Flyers welcome back their top three scorers from an offense that ranked fourth in the league with 38 goals scored. First team All-conference selection Kailee O’Hara was Nazareth’s second leading scorer with 20 points (7 goals, 6 assists), behind second team All-Conference honoree Tessa Knapp. Knapp appeared in just 13 games but managed to contribute eight goals and seven assists. Lindsey Smith completes the scoring trio with five goals and seven assists.
Two of
Hartwick's (6-11, 3-4 Empire 8) all-conference honorees return to the roster in 2012. Leading the way are First Team choice Kelsey Kimble (11g, 5a) and honorable mention player Megan Lefeber (4a).
Ithaca (5-11, 3-4 Empire 8) looks to returning All-Conference Second Team defender Andrea Pace and goalkeeper Kelly Singleton to lead the way. Pace started all 16 games and made one defensive save. Singleton posted a 2.70 goals against average and a .800 save percentage which ranked 27
th nationally.
Houghton (9-7 overall) is making the transition from NAIA to Division III. The Highlanders welcome back Ashley Engle (7g, 9a) and Maesa Phongsamouth (5g, 1a) as their top returning scorers. Hillery Duman is back in the cage after posting .711 save percentage to go with five shutouts. The Highlanders limited opponents to 23 goals on the season and posted wins over Elmira, Nazareth and Fisher.
Fisher (2-15, 0-7 Empire 8) will begin its second season in program history after completing its inaugural year in 2011. The Cardinals won two games in their first season, led by a young team. Marissa Vedella returns after tallying 13 points (5g, 3a) and being named to the conference’s second team. Honorable Mention selection Caitlin Allen tied Vedella in points (13) and goals (5).
Elmira (2-13, 2-5 Empire 8) enjoys the return of its all-conference selection from 2011 in second team back Shannon Nelligan (4g, 2a). Goalkeeper Lauren Thomas (3.98gaa, 156sv) is back between the pipes to lead the defense.
The 2012 field hockey season begins on Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1, with four of the nine Empire 8 schools in action. For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites or go to the Empire 8 home on the Internet at
www.empire8.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the Empire 8 on
Facebook and follow
@Empire8 on Twitter.
2012 Empire 8 Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
|
1. Stevens Institute of Techonology (4) |
59 pts |
|
2. Washington and Jefferson College (3) |
54 |
|
3. Utica (2) |
53 |
|
4. Nazareth |
42 |
|
5. Hartwick |
33 |
|
6. Ithaca |
31 |
|
7. Houghton |
22 |
|
8. St. John Fisher College |
20 |
|
9. Elmira |
10 |