Elms Chosen Preseason Favorite to Win NECC Field Hockey Title

For Immediate Release:
September 4, 2008

Elms Chosen Preseason Favorite to Win NECC Field Hockey Title

ATTLEBORO, Mass. - Elms College has been tabbed as the preseason favorite to capture the New England Collegiate Conference field hockey championship, it was announced today by Commissioner Del Malloy. Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the NECC's head field hockey coaches.

This is the inaugural year for the New England Collegiate Conference. Five of the nine NECC members sponsor field hockey.

The Elms Blazers (2-15, 1-7 NAC) received three of the five first-place votes in the 2008 NECC preseason poll. The Blazers are led by head coach Katie Grabiec. Sophomore Denise Parks, a 2007 North Atlantic Conference Second Team All-Conference member, will lead the seven returning starters into their 2008 campaign.

Becker College received two first-place votes with 22 points to claim the runner-up spot. Wheelock was third with 12 points while Daniel Webster garnered the fourth place spot with 11 points. Bay Path, who begins their first year along with Daniel Webster, rounded out the top five with seven points.

Teams received five points for every first place vote received, four points for second place votes, three points for third place votes, down to one point for a last place vote. First place votes are shown in parentheses.

2008 NECC PRESEASON FIELD HOCKEY POLL
TEAM, POINTS (1st Place votes)
1-Elms, 23(3)
2-Becker, 22(2)
3-Wheelock, 12       
4-Daniel Webster, 11
5-Bay Path, 7