Lehigh University Athletics
Patriot League announces preseason field hockey poll
8/23/2011 4:14:00 PM | Field Hockey
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Patriot League announced its preseason poll on Tuesday, which saw the Mountain Hawks come in fifth, only four points behind fourth-place Colgate. Eying its second league tournament appearance in the last three years, Lehigh is deep into preseason practice in preparation for Sunday's season-opener at Quinnipiac.American finished first with 50 points and 10 first-place votes, followed by Lafayette with 40 (two first-place votes), Bucknell with 36 and Colgate with 22. Lehigh had 18 points, with Holy Cross racking up 14.
First-year head coach Stacey Blue returns to Bethlehem where she served as assistant coach for the Mountain Hawks from 2007-09. She comes back after a successful season as head coach for American International College, helping the Yellow Jackets turn a 6-12 season into a 14-8 campaign and an NCAA Tournament berth. Lehigh returns its top three scorers from 2010 in First Team All-Patriot League performer Caitlin Donnelly (14 points) along with Kim Eng and Madison Ingal, who each posted 13.
Lehigh opens the regular season at Quinnipiac on Sunday at 11 a.m. The Mountain Hawks' home opener is set for next Friday (Sept. 2) against Georgetown at 7 p.m.
Patriot League Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1. American, 50 points (10 first-place votes)
2. Lafayette, 40 (2)
3. Bucknell, 36
4. Colgate, 22
5. Lehigh, 18
6. Holy Cross, 14
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