TOWSON, Md.- On Friday morning, the Landmark Conference announced its 2016 Field Hockey Poll. Juniata was slotted in third with a total of of 46 points.

Defending champion Catholic was picked to finish in first place and totaled 68 points with six first place votes. Last year's runner-up Elizabethtown was second with 52 points and one first place vote. Scranton was slotted in fourth with 37 points and one first place vote.

Last season, the Eagles finished with a record of 11-7 and were 6-1 in the Landmark. JC fell to the Cardinals in the Landmark semifinals in penalty strokes.

With the loss of a large portion of its starting lineup to graduation, the Eagles will rely heavily on its returning players to make a playoff push. A talented freshman class will help to boost the team's chances of qualification.

Juniata begins its 2016 season next Thursday at home against Alvernia. Game time will be at 4:00 p.m.