University of Massachusets Athletics
Minutewomen Ranked 14th In NFHCA Preseason Poll
August 27, 2013 | Field Hockey
Aug 27, 2013
CHANDLER, Ariz. - The National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) announced its annual preseason poll on Tuesday, with UMass taking 14th among the top-20. The Minutewomen are the only Atlantic 10 program present while eight opponents scheduled for the 2013 campaign appear in the rankings.
North Carolina took first with 978 points and 33 first place votes. Maryland followed with 903 points and Princeton took third with 883. Connecticut (749) and Syracuse (737) round out the top five.
Penn State, Virginia, Old Dominion, Michigan and Duke occupy the 6-10 spots, followed by Northwestern, Stanford and Iowa.
UMass sits ahead of Northeastern while Boston University follows in 16th. Drexel, Wake Forest, Boston College and New Hampshire round out the poll.
UMass field hockey finished the 2012 season with a 15-9 overall record and 6-1 mark in A-10 competition. The Minutewomen won the Atlantic 10 Championship with victories over Temple and Richmond to advance to the NCAA Tournament.
The Maroon and White kick off the upcoming campaign with participation in the University of Maine Invitational. UMass will face the host-Black Bears on Aug. 30 before battling No. 9 Michigan on Aug. 31.
The Minutewomen will host UMass-Lowell for their home-opener on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. Admission to all contests at Garber Field are free of charge.