NEW JERSEY, N.J. – Coming off three straight Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament Championships, the Lock Haven University field hockey team has again been tabbed as the favorite in the 2009 NEC Preseason Coaches Poll released today.

The Lady Eagles received eight of nine first place votes with the only other first-place vote going to Rider, who is listed at No. 2 on the preseason poll.

Quinnipiac rounded out the top three.

Since joining the NEC in 2004, LHU has gone 36-2, with the Lady Eagles last conference loss coming during the 2006 season.

Lock Haven went a perfect 7-0 in each of the last two seasons and has won three straight NEC Tournament titles to go along with five regular season crowns.

The Haven’s 24-game winning streak against NEC opponents is also still alive, as they head into 2009.

The Lady Eagles begin their preseason training early next week and kick off the ‘09 season against Georgetown at Longwood University on Saturday, August 29 at noon.

2009 NEC Field Hockey Coaches Preseason Poll:

1. Lock Haven (8)

2. Rider (1)

3. Quinnipiac

4. Sacred Heart

5. Saint Francis (PA)

6. Monmouth

7. Robert Morris

8. Bryant

9. Siena

First-place votes in parentheses ().

*Bryant joins the NEC for field hockey in ‘09

For full NEC release click on the following link listed below in yellow (Information Courtesy of the NEC).