The State University at New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has released its 2017 Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll for the upcoming season. The Geneseo Knights and the Cortland Red Dragons have tied for first place, each earning a total of 43 points.
Last season, the Knights posted an overall record of 11-10 under head coach Jessica Seren. Entering SUNYAC play as the third seed, the Knights upset four-time defending champion New Paltz, 1-0, in the semifinals, and Oneonta 3-2 in the finals to earn their second SUNYAC Championship in team history, as well as an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Although the Knights fell short to Keene State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, they look to continue their success from their 2016 campaign into the upcoming season.
The Cortland Red Dragons posted a perfect record in SUNYAC play during the 2016 season going 6-0, as well as an outstanding overall record of 14-4 under head coach Tiffany Hubbard in her inaugural season. Despite their successful performance against conference opponents, the Red Dragons fell short to Oneonta 2-1 in overtime in the SUNYAC semifinals. Entering the 2017 season, Cortland looks to build on their program's successful history, and reclaim the regular season title.
The Knights and the Red Dragons will kick off SUNYAC play against each other on Friday, September 15.
The Hawks of New Paltz totaled 38 points sitting below Cortland and Geneseo in the preseason poll. Last season, the Hawks' 5-1 conference record earned them the #2 seed in the SUNYAC tournament. In head coach Shanna Szablinski's eighth season with the Hawks, the team made their seventh consecutive appearance in the conference tournament. The Hawks looks to reclaim the SUNYAC title, which they earned from 2012-2015.
2017 SUNYAC Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Cortland (43 pts)
Geneseo (43 pts)
3. New Paltz (38 pts)
4. Oneonta (29 pts)
5. Oswego (21 pts)
6. Brockport (12 pts)
7. Morrisville (6 pts)
