Pioneers Picked Fourth in NEC Preseason Poll
8/20/2007 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Aug. 20, 2007
Fairfield, CT - The Sacred Heart field hockey team was chosen to finish third in the NEC preseason poll released Friday by the league office. Defending champion Lock Haven was named the favorite with Quinnipiac picked second ahead of the Pioneers.
SHU's bid to recapture the NEC tournament title will require continued production from junior forward Carisa Eye (Nesconset, NY), who was responsible for one of the best offensive campaigns in the league's ten-year existence. Eye, the NEC Offensive Player of the Year, finished second in the nation in goals (32) and goals per game (1.60) on the way to becoming the Pioneers' first ever All-American. Named to the NFHCA third team, she posted the country's third-best point total (66) and points per game average (3.30). All-conference second team honorees Katie Bohren (Hopewell Junction, NY) and Jenn Howley (North Salem, NY) are back for their final seasons in red and white. The two senior midfielders possess the ability to contribute on both sides of the ball for seventh year head coach Chris Blais, who led the Pioneers to their first NEC title in 2005.
Rider placed fourth in the poll and Monmouth was fifth. Rounding out the poll were Siena, Robert Morris, and Saint Francis (PA), respectively.
The Pioneers open the season this weekend at the Husky Classic at the University of Connecticut. SHU will face Towson on Saturday and Maine on Sunday.
