BLOOMSBURG—The Bloomsburg University field hockey team has been picked as the top team of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s Eastern Division, as determined by the recently-released pre-season coaches’ poll.
The Huskies, winners of the last four NCAA D-II national championships, swept all five first-place votes in the East and were followed by East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, Millersville and C.W. Post.
This season, Nikki Rhodes, a former Bloomsburg field hockey player herself, takes over the leadership of the Huskies after coaching for six years at Alvernia University. Rhodes follows in the footsteps of Jan Hutchinson who ran the BU program for 32 seasons, winning 16 national titles before her retirement.
On the front line, All-American
Amanda Riley (Tannersville, Pocono Mountain East) is back for her junior season after leading Division II in both points (62) and goals scored (27). Senior
Amanda Deloy (Milton, DE, Cape Henlopen), a first team All-PSAC East selection, will lead the midfield after starting every game last season.
The Huskies return several key members of the defense, including senior
Madison Schoch (Quakertown, Quakertown) and second-team All-PSAC East selection
Betsy Renn (Herndon, Line Mountain).
In the West Division, Shippensburg received five first-place votes, handily securing first place. Mercyhurst, Mansfield, IUP and Slippery Rock rounded out the division.
Should Bloomsburg succeed in winning its fifth-consecutive national crown, it will become the first program in any division to accomplish the feat since a collegiate championship was established in 1975.
The Huskies begin defense of their title on Saturday, September 4, when they travel to North Easton, Mass., to take on the Skyhawks of Stonehill College, preseason favorites in the Northeast-10 Conference. On September 11, Bloomsburg returns to Sports Stadium for its first home game against the Panthers of Adelphi University at 12 p.m.
2010 PSAC Field Hockey
Preseason Coaches Poll
Eastern Division (first-place votes)
1. Bloomsburg (5)
2. East Stroudsburg
3. Kutztown
4. Millersville
5. C.W. Post
Western Division
1. Shippensburg (5)
2. Mercyhurst
3. Mansfield
4. IUP
5. Slippery Rock