(Posted August 22, 2011)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- The Juniata College field hockey team, four-time defending Landmark Conference Champions, has been chosen to win the league again this year in the Landmark's preseason poll released Monday.

Juniata was voted first on most ballots, accumulating sixty-five points in the preseason poll of the seven head coaches and sports information directors from each school.

The defending champions are led at the helm by last season's Landmark Coach of the Year, Caroline Gillich.

The Catholic University of America finished second in the poll with 49 points, and Drew University coming in third with 42 points. Susquehanna University followed closely with 39 points in fourth. The University of Scranton falls in at fifth place with 26 points and Goucher College comes in at sixth with 16 points. Moravian brings up the rear, voted to finish in seventh place with 15 points.

Despite losing four All-Landmark Conference players and over 35% of their scoring, Juniata returns three of their top four scorers from a year ago. The Eagles will look to Kim Amrod (Ridgefield, Conn./ Ridgefield) and Shauna Deschenes (Duncannon, Pa./ Susquenita) to pace the Eagles quick offense. Amrod topped her junior year with an All-Region nomination to support her 12 goals and six assists; Deschenes was close behind, finishing 2010 with 11 goals and eight assists.

Defensively, the Eagles will be led by All-American Meghan McGlone (Coopersburg, Pa./ Southern Lehigh). The competition for goalie is fierce between Janelle Howard (Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Cumberland Valley) and a pair of incoming freshman. Howard totaled six saves last year including one shut out.

The Eagles open their 2011 season in Huntingdon on September 3 against Bridgewater College (Va.).

-30-

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.