NEWPORT NEWS, VA – The Lock Haven University field hockey team has been picked fourth in the 2013 Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll, which was announced by the conference office today.
Massachusetts received seven-of-eight first-place votes and was picked to finish first in the league this year. Richmond grabbed the last first-place vote and sits No. 2 in the voting with VCU rounding out the top three.
Lock Haven went 11-9 overall last season and 2-5 in A-10 action.
Leading the way for Lock Haven in 2013 is senior Kelly Harsh (Lancaster, Pa./Penn Manor), who was an All-Region selection last year. Harsh started all 20 matches for LHU and led the team in goals (7) and points (19).
The Haven will also benefit from the return of Nakira Downes (Bridgetown, Barbados/The Combermere School). The 2012 All-Conference player led all Lady Eagles in assists with 10, which was also one of the best marks in the A-10.
The Lady Eagles report to campus today to open their 2013 preseason-camp.
Lock Haven opens the season at home on Friday, August 30 vs. perennial national-power North Carolina. The Tar Heels were national runners-up last year and captured their second straight Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) title.
Four of Lock Haven’s first five matches are at home on Charlotte Smith Field.
LHU opens A-10 play on Friday, October 11 at Saint Francis (Pa.).
Full 2013 A-10 Field Hockey Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parenthesis):
1. Massachusetts (7)
2. Richmond (1)
3. VCU
4. Lock Haven
5. La Salle
6. Saint Joseph’s
7. Saint Francis
8. Saint Louis
