Aug. 15, 2005

The Siena College field hockey team has been chosen seventh in the Northeast Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll. Lock Haven University is the preseason favorite in the nine-team league, receiving seven of nine first place votes.

"We are very excited about the upcoming season, and hope to out-perform the coaches' expectations," head coach Lynda Lareau said. "Our team has good veteran leadership and great chemistry. The goal is to get back to the NEC Championships, where anything can happen."

The Saints finished the 2004 season with a 2-12 overall record and a 2-6 mark in NEC play. Siena last qualified for the four-team NEC Tournament in 2003.

Coach Lareau welcomes back all but four starters from last year's team, but will have to replace Siena's all-time leader in career saves, Kristen Heyde. Lareau welcomes in a highly touted recruiting class that includes six incoming freshman.

2005 Northeast Conference Field Hockey Coaches Poll
1. Lock Haven (7)
2. Rider (1)
3. Sacred Heart (1)
4. Quinnipiac
5. Fairfield
6. Monmouth
7. Siena
8. St. Francis (Pa.)
9. Robert Morris