NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Saint Joseph’s, the three-time defending Atlantic 10 Conference field hockey champions, have been selected as the preseason favorite for the 2020-21 season. The league announced the annual Preseason Poll Tuesday ahead of the start of the season on February 13. Conference play will begin March 13.
The Hawks (17-4, 8-0 A-10) were chosen first in the poll with 60 total points and six first-place votes. Jordan Olenginski, a First Team All-Atlantic 10 and an All-Mid-Atlantic Second Team selection from a season ago, as well as senior Emily Peters, a 2019 Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honoree, will lead the way offensively this season as the pair combined for 17 goals and 42 points. Sophomores Kacie Patton (6 goals) and Katy Benton, a pair of 2019 All-Rookie selections, will be back as well. Seniors Cassidy Atchison, Nicholl Fenton, and Sara Hayes will provide a steady dose of veteran leadership to the squad.
Richmond (11-10, 6-2 A-10), the 2019 Championship runner-up, was chosen second with 51 poll points, and one first-place vote. The Spiders return All-Conference second team selections, Steffie Bongers (6 goals, 1 assist) and Addie Nash (6 goals, 1 assist), along with All-Rookie honoree Lindsey Frank (2 goals, 5 assists). Goalkeeper Frankie-Lynne Conklin is also back, collecting 77 saves for an average a .658 save percentage a year ago.
Massachusetts was picked to finish third in the upcoming season, earning 48 points and a first-place tally. The Minutewomen return six of the team’s top seven scorers, including Jess Beech (6 goals, 2 assists), Georgie McTear (4 goals, 4 assists), and Bella Ianni (5 goals). Also in the group of twelve returning letterwinners are All-Conference Selections McTear and Marlise van Tonder (first team) and All-Rookie selections Ianni and Josie Rossbach, who led the team with 1,181 minutes played in her 20 games played.
VCU was selected to finish fourth in the poll with 45 points, followed by affiliate member, Lock Haven with 32 points. Davidson and La Salle were tied with 21 points each in the sixth spot, while Saint Louis rounded out the poll.
The 2020-21 Atlantic 10 field hockey season gets underway on Saturday, February 13. A four-team 20-2021 Atlantic 10 Championship will be played on the campus of the highest seed, April 23-24, with the winner advancing to the NCAA tournament. Select regular-season matches and A-10 Championship matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.
| Preseason Poll - Total Points (First Place Votes) |
|
| 1. Saint Joseph's |
60 (6) |
| 2. Richmond |
51 (1) |
| 3. Massachusetts |
48 (1) |
| 4. VCU |
45 |
| 5. Lock Haven |
32 |
| T-6. Davidson |
21 |
| T-6. La Salle |
21 |
| 8. Saint Louis |
10 |