WORCESTER, Mass. – The Worcester State University field hockey team earned the second place spot in the Little East Conference (LEC) Preseason Poll, as voted on by the 12 coaches in the league.
The Blue and Gold slid into second with 108 points. Despite being second in the poll, Worcester State received more first-place votes (6) than the chosen favorites, Keene State, who have won the past four-straight conference titles.
The Lancers finished 2016 with a 13-6 (9-2 LEC) record, to finish second in the LEC standings, and first out of all the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) schools in the league.
2016 Coach of the Year, Alexa Carlson, has a strong group of veterans returning, along with some promising newcomers that are meshing well with the group.
"We are very excited about this upcoming season," mentioned Carlson. "Our preseason practices have shown that the team has been working very hard in the offseason. We came in very fit and strong."
The Blue and Gold return First Team All-Conference and NFCA Division III All-Region honoree Hayley Sutherland (Tewksbury, Mass.) at the midfield for the 2017 season. Offensively, the team returns the 2016 LEC Field Hockey Rookie of the Year, LEC Second Team All-Conference recipient, and Worcester State Female Rookie Athlete of the Year, Olivia Antonelli (Westford, Mass.) after leading the team in goals last season with 13.
The Lancers also welcome back Second-Team All-Conference recipients Michaila Parent (Westborough, Mass.) and Kathryn Salemme (Boxborough, Mass.) at the forward and goalkeeper positions, respectively. Also expected to make an impact this season are seniors Jolane Thibault (Douglas, Mass.) and Hayley D'Auteuil (Sutton, Mass.).
Notable newcomers for Worcester State include sophomore transfer, Rachel Hopkins (Chelmsford, Mass.) and freshman Sarah Duff (Warren. Mass.).
"Although we still have several kinks to work out, I expect that we should have another successful season both on and off the field," said Carlson. "This is a team full of bright young ladies who are willing to learn and some of the hardest workers I've had the pleasure of working with. They have their sights set on making waves in the Little East and I am so excited to watch and help them continue to grow as field hockey players."
The field hockey team opens up their season on Friday, Sep. 1 when they travel to Babson for a 12 noon game. The home opener for the squad is scheduled for Wednesday, Sep. 6 when they host Westfield State for an early LEC game.
2017 Little East Conference Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Keene State – 110 (5)
2. Worcester State – 108 (6)
3. Plymouth State – 101 (1)
4. Bridgewater State - 81
5. Fitchburg State - 68
6. Southern Maine - 65
7. Eastern Connecticut State - 62
Westfield State – 62
9. UMass Dartmouth – 56
10. Western Connecticut – 45
11. Salem State - 18
12. Framingham State - 16
Portions of this Release Courtesy of Taylor Alward | LEC Assistant Commissioner