LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - SOMERSET, N.J. – The Lock Haven University field hockey team once again finds itself in a familiar role as it heads into the 2008 season ranked No. 1 in the Northeast (NEC) Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Lady Eagles are two-time defending NEC tournament champions and have won the NEC regular season title in each of the last four seasons.

LHU received six of seven first place votes.

In four seasons The Haven has only lost four NEC regular season matches and will once again be led in ’08 by two-time NEC Player of the Year Blair Wynne (Arima, Trinidad & Tobago/Sangre Grande).

Quinnipiac University received one vote.

The Lady Eagles open their season against Longwood University on the Bucknell University campus on Saturday, Aug/ 30. The following day (Sunday, Aug. 31) marks their home opener, as they play host to the University of Maryland at noon.

The full NEC poll is as follows:

Lock Haven (6)

Quinnipiac (1)

Rider (1)

Sacred Heart

Saint Francis (Pa)

Monmouth

Robert Morris

Siena

For the full NEC release click on the link listed below.

Information courtesy of the NEC office.