Thomas College claimed the top spot in the 2022 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Preseason Coaches Poll with 9 points and three first place votes. The Terriers reached the NECC Championship in 2021 under the leadership of NECC Coach of the Year Andrea Thebarge, who will be back on the sidelines for Thomas. The Terriers returns seven starters from a season ago, including first team All-Conference honoree Julia Reny (Gardiner, Maine) who chipped in six goals and five assists from the midfielder position in her rookie campaign.
Defending NECC champion Husson University lands in the second spot with seven points and the remaining first place vote. The Eagles will be led by third-year head coach, Diann Ramsey and will return nine starters from their championship team. Highlighting the Eagles' returners is 2019 NECC Goalkeeper of the Year and two-time All-Conference selection, Kimmie Goddard (Westbrook, Maine). Goddard led the league with 126 total saves and a .759 save percentage in 2021.
Maine-Farmington and New England College each collected four points to earn a share of the third spot. Maine-Farmington will have new leadership as Hattie Huston takes the reins for her first season at the helm for the Beavers. The Beavers have a young team, with six players returning, headlined by Mya Daniels (Limington, Maine) who netted two goals for the Beavers in 2021.
The Pilgrims will be led by sixth-year head coach Carly Sweeney and will return nine starters from the 2021 season. Among the returners is 2021 NECC All-Conference and All-Region performer Drea Chin (Laconia, N.H.). Chin was the league's most prolific scorer, leading the NECC with 25 goals and 57 points a season ago.
The 2022 NECC Field Hockey Championship will take place on Saturday, November 5 and Sunday, November 6.
2022 NECC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Thomas- 9 (3)
2. Husson- 7 (1)
3. Maine-Farmington- 4
3. New England College- 4
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up