SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The University of New England field hockey team has been picked to finish first out of the six institutions in the 2012 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) preseason poll. CCC Commissioner Gregg Kaye made the announcement of the voting results from the league's head coaches Monday afternoon (Aug. 20).

The Nor'easters received a total of 34 points to settle just ahead of Endicott (32 points), with UNE getting four 1st-place votes and the Gulls two. The two teams shared the league regular-season title last year (9-1) and met for the CCC title game, which Endicott captured by a score of 2-1 in overtime.

After starting the season with 13 consecutive wins and a two-week stint among the NFHCA Top 20 Coaches Poll, UNE ended 2011 with a program-best 18 victories against just four losses.

Nichols (22 points), Gordon (18), Western New England (12), and Salve Regina (8) rounded out the poll.

CCC play begins on September 15 at home against Western New England. Once the 10-game conference slate is complete, the CCC tournament is set to start on October 31 with two semifinal matches.

To view the full release of the preseason poll, click HERE.


2012 CCC Field Hockey Preseason Poll

Rank	Institution	Points (1st-place votes)
1	UNE	34 (4)
2	Endicott	32 (2)
3	Nichols	22
4	Gordon	18
5	Western New England	12
6	Salve Regina	8