LANCASTER, Pa. – The Ursinus College field hockey team was picked to finish third in the Centennial Conference preseason poll.
The Bears collected 86 points, trailing only defending champion Franklin & Marshall (97 points, 7 first-place votes) and Johns Hopkins (89 points, 4 first-place votes). Haverford (65) and Washington College (60) rounded out the projected playoff field, followed by Dickinson (55), Gettysburg (54), Muhlenberg (41), Swarthmore (25), Bryn Mawr (20), and McDaniel (13).
Ursinus ran its streak of CC playoff appearances to 15 last season, but saw its run of four consecutive championships end with a loss to eventual NCAA semifinalist F&M in the conference semifinals. Much of the nucleus of those title-winning squads is back in the fold, and paired with a bevy of potential rookie contributions should create a winning formula for head coach Janelle Benner and company.
The Bears' trademark defensive prowess figures to be on full display again in 2018, as three-time All-CC performer Bridget Sherry and two-year starter Mikayla Jordan return to anchor the backfield in front of senior goalkeeper Jules Singer, who has posted eight shutouts while starting every game the last two seasons. Sophomore Erin McIlhenny provides a steady defensive presence in the midfield.
Junior Erin Saybolt is back to control the midfield after the 2016 CC Rookie of the Year posted six goals and matched the team lead with four assists a year ago. Classmates Brianne Nicholas and Anna Hall bring a wealth of starting experience to the unit, while sophomore Kayla Paulson came on strong towards the end of her rookie campaign, including a two-goal performance in a 2-1 win at Washington College.
Junior forward Gemma Dufoe is the Bears' top returning offensive threat, having potted 11 goals over her first two seasons. Sophomore Gabriela Howell produced three goals and four assists last year, while junior Abbie Roberts added two goals and one assist from her forward slot. Sophomore Zia Cooper (one goal, one assist) saw action in nine contests.
Benner has once again stacked the Bears' schedule with formidable foes, including road games at Rowan and national runner-up Messiah to open the season in addition to difficult non-conference tilts with TCNJ, Catholic, and Washington and Lee. Ursinus' first game on Snell Field is September 8 against William Smith.