Aug. 24, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. - The National Field Hockey Coaches Association released its preseason poll Tuesday and Old Dominion begins the year ranked No. 16. Additionally, the Lady Monarchs will play a remarkable eight games against preseason Top 10 foes.
Old Dominion, which was picked to finish second in the Colonial Athletic Association, garnered 234 total points. Drexel (No. 11) and James Madison (No. 12) were the other CAA teams represented in the Top 20 poll.
Old Dominion welcomes back seven starters to its roster this season. Leading the charge will be junior forward Kathryn Kirk, whose nine goals led the team in 2009. Joining Kirk will be senior midfielder Loran Hatch, who recorded seven goals and seven assists last season, and sophomore midfielder and 2009 CAA All-Rookie selection Julie Hodge.
A trio of Atlantic Coast Conference teams top the poll as North Carolina, Maryland and Virginia claim the top three spots. Old Dominion will play home-and-home series against both the Tar Heels and Terrapins, while taking on the Cavaliers in a road contest on September 5.
The first regular season poll will be released on September 7.
-ODU-