NEW YORK – After finishing second in the conference standings last season, the Old Dominion University field hockey team was pegged to finish second in the BIG EAST as the conference unveiled the 2015 Preseason Coaches’ Poll on Thursday.
Connecticut, the defending two-time National Champions, garnered the top spot with five first-place votes and 25 points. The Lady Monarchs finished second with 20 points, while Temple garnered the last first-place vote and rounded out the top 3 with 17 total points. Providence (14), Villanova (8) and Georgetown (6) completed the poll.
Old Dominionwent 11-8 overall and 4-1 in league games last season, advancing to the semifinals of the BIG EAST tournament. The Monarchs placed three on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team, including leading scorer Sarah Breen. Breen posted 10 goals in 2014, including four game winners, and is joined on the preseason all-conference team by teammates Emily Harting (2g, 2a) and Megan Byas (3g, 3a). Harting and Byas controlled the ODU defense that tallied six shutouts and finished the year second in the BIG EAST with a goals-against average of 1.53. The Lady Monarchs also welcome back 2014 All-BIG EAST selection Caitlin Walsh. The defender concluded the 2014 season with with two goals and two assists.
The Old Dominion field hockey season gets underway on Aug. 28 when the Lady Monarchs host Penn State for a 6:00 p.m. contest, followed by American on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1:00 p.m. The BIG EAST Championship is slated for Nov. 6 and 8 at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on the campus of ODU with the top four seeds qualifying. The semifinals and finals will be broadcast on the BIG EAST Digital Network.
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BIG EAST Preseason Field Hockey Coaches’ Poll
Connecticut – 25 (five first-place votes)*
Old Dominion – 20
Temple – 17 (one first-place vote)
Providence – 14
Villanova – 8
Georgetown – 6
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Charlotte Veitner, Connecticut, So., F
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Roisin Upton, Connecticut, Sr., M
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Deidra Clymer, Providence, Grad., GK
Olivia Bolles, Connecticut, Jr., M
Emily Harting, Old Dominion, Sr., B/M
Anna Middendorf, Connecticut, Jr., M
Roisin Upton, Connecticut, Sr., M*
Sarah Breen, Old Dominion, Sr., M
Megan Byas, Old Dominion, Jr., M/B
Kayla Kenney, Villanova, Sr., F*
Charlotte Veitner, Connecticut, So., F*
Megan Hamilton, Providence, So., F/M*
Alyssa Delp, Temple, Sr., F/M*
*unanimous selection