The Landmark Conference released the Preseason Field Hockey Poll yesterday and the Eagles were slotted sixth.

Elizabethtown and Catholic tied for first with Susquehanna in third and Goucher fourth.

Seniors Katie Alexander (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) and Megan Martin (Cumberland, R.I./Cumberland) will look to lead a well-balanced group back to postseason play after narrowly missing the playoffs last year.

They will be supported by a strong junior class made up of Kylie Edwards (Danville, Pa./Danville), Jessica Gray (Bordentown, N.J./Bordentown Regional), Santana Mays (Parkton, Md./Hereford), Lindsay Scholten (Apex, N.C./Brookfield), Meredith Shepard (Cazenovia, N.Y./Cazenovia) and Rebecca Waite (Landinberg, Pa./Avon Grove). Shepard was second on the team in scoring (first in assists) last year while Scholten and Waite (Landinberg, Pa./Avon Grove) were tied for fifth in scoring. Edwards started every game in goal for the Eagles as she anchored a defense that allowed 1.26 goals a game and managed two shutouts.

The sophomore class includes the third leading scorer from the previous year, Grace Kuszmaul (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) and Sarah Alexander (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg) who was fourth. Madison Miller (York, Pa./West York) started all but one game for the Eagles last year while Catherine Lanigan (Boonton, N.J./Parsippany HS), Oliva Marker (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon Area) and Mina Wilt (Wells Tannery, Pa./Forbes Road) all contributed off the bench last year.  

There are five incoming freshman joining the team, including the third Alexander sister, Grace (Mifflinburg, Pa./Mifflinburg).

The Eagles will open play at home against Bridgewater, Friday at 7:00.

2017 Landmark Field Hockey Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)

1.      Elizabethtown – 62 points (4)

         Catholic – 62 points (3)

3.       Susquehanna – 48 points (1)

4.       Goucher – 29 points

5.       Scranton – 27 points

6.       Juniata – 23 points

7.       Drew – 14 points

8.       Moravian – 7 points