NEW YORK – BIG EAST defending regular-season and tournament champion Connecticut was tabbed by the field hockey head coaches as the preseason favorite in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll released on Thursday by the league office.
The top preseason individual awards were split between Connecticut and Liberty, the top two teams in the poll. Liberty senior forward Jill Bolton selected as Preseason Offensive Player of the Year; Connecticut’s Cheyenne Sprecher was voted Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
UConn was the favorite among the league’s head coaches earning five first-place votes for 35 points.