CORTLAND, N.Y. - The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) field hockey coaches voted Cortland No. 1 in the 2018 conference preseason poll with 34 points. Geneseo and New Paltz tied for second with 27 points each.
In 2017 the Red Dragons won their 15th overall SUNYAC title and their first since 2011, under current head coach Tiffany Hubbard. Cortland took the Defensive and Offensive Player of the Year as well as the Coach of the Year awards last year. The Offensive Player of the Year and the Tournament MVP, Jessica Welsh, returns for her senior season with the Red Dragons.
Margaret McConnell enters her first year as the head coach of the Knights who will look to improve upon last year's tournament finish. Geneseo was ranked fourth after the regular season and fell to Cortland in the first round, 3-0. The Knights won the SUNYAC title in 2016 and 2010 under previous head coach, Jessica Seren.
The Hawks will fight to get back the SUNYAC title that they won four consecutive years from 2012-15 under current head coach Shanna Szablinski. The team finished the 2017 regular season 4-2 in the conference placing them third going into the tournament. The Hawks made it to the championship game, but lost to Cortland, 5-0.
2018 SUNYAC Field Hockey Bracket
1. Cortland, 34
2. Geneseo, 27
3. New Paltz, 27
Oneonta, 26
5. Oswego, 15
6. Brockport, 11
7. Morrisville, 7