Becker Chosen Preseason Favorite to Win NECC Field Hockey Title

ATTLEBORO, Mass. – Becker 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.

Five of the nine NECC members sponsor field hockey.

The Becker Hawks (8-0) went undefeated in the NECC last season with a 13-8 overall record. Head Coach Tanya Stonehouse enters her sixth season with a 44-69 overall record taking both NECC conference titles.

2009 NECC Player of the Year, junior midfielder Victoria Sirchia (Goshen, Conn.) will lead the Hawks having scored 15 goals and four assists last year. Becker also returns the Rookie and Goalie of the Year in sophomore forward Brooke Cote (Fitchburg, Mass.) and senior keeper Nikita Gosselin (Springfield, Vt.).

Wheelock College received 18 points to claim the runner-up spot. Daniel Webster College was third with 16 points while Elms College garnered the fourth place spot with 11 points. Bay Path rounds out the voting with five 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.

2010 NECC PRESEASON FIELD HOCKEY POLL

TEAM, POINTS (1st Place votes)
Becker, 25 (5)
Wheelock, 18
Daniel Webster, 16
Elms, 11
Bay Path, 5