Aug. 23, 2008

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The three-time defending America East champion Boston University field hockey team has been picked to finish second in the conference following a vote of the league's head coaches. The 2008 preseason coaches' poll was released by the America East on Thursday.

BU received two first-place votes and 22 points overall, but was edged by Albany with four first-place votes and 24 total points. Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own team. Vermont (16 points) and New Hampshire (14 points) were picked to finish the season third and fourth, respectively, while Maine (nine points) and Fairfield (five points) rounded out the six-team poll.

Despite losing the Terriers' winningest class in program history, head coach Sally Staff brings in an impressive freshman class of nine recruits, along with two transfers to fill the vacancies left by graduation. In addition, Starr brings back four players who started all 24 games last year, including seniors Holly Wiles and Lizzie Perreault on defense. Juniors Haley Robinson and Gabby Hajjar, who is the team's leading returning scorer (9g, 1a), will be expected to take on bigger roles and while sophomore goalkeeper Kim Kastuk, the 2007 America East Rookie of the Year, returns to BU cage. 

BU opens its season on Sunday, Aug. 31, when it hosts Northwestern at Jack Barry Field at 2 p.m. 2008

2008 America East Preseason Field Hockey Poll
Rank Team (1st-place votes) Total
1. Albany (4), 24
2. Boston University (2), 22
3. Vermont, 16
4. New Hampshire, 14
5. Maine, 9
6. Fairfield, 5