Field Hockey Named Top Team in America East Preseason Poll

CAMBRIDGE, MASS. – The University at Albany field hockey team was named the preseason America East favorite by the league’s coaches on Thursday.

This is the first time the Great Danes have been predicted to finish first in the conference since 2008. UAlbany has made three NCAA tournament appearances to complement three America East championships since 2008.  

The Great Danes earned four first-place votes en route to 24 points and the top honor. New Hampshire finished in the second slot with 21 points and one first-place vote, while Maine racked up 18 points and one first place vote to take third.

UAlbany went 13-8 (3-2 America East) in 2012, picking up the league title and automatic NCAA bid along the way. The Great Danes return three of their top offensive players from 2012, including 2012 America East Co-Offensive Player of the Year and 2012 America East Tournament Most Outstanding Player Daphne Voormolen, two-time America East first team selection Corrine McConville and 2012 America East Rookie of the Year Laura Page. The trio combined for 28 goals and 21 assists in 2012. UAlbany will look for a freshman to step up in the cage to replace three-time America East Goalkeeper of the Year Kristi Troch.

The Great Danes open their season with a pair of games in Providence, R.I., against Bryant and Providence on Aug. 30-31. Head coach Phil Sykes assembled a challenging non-conference schedule in 2013, including 2012 NCAA champions Princeton and semifinalists Syracuse. UAlbany hosts Cornell in its first home game, and travels to Maine to face its first conference opponent on Oct. 5.

2013 America East Preseason Poll