LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Shippensburg University field hockey team was voted atop the Western Division in the 2010 PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll released Tuesday morning by the conference office. The Lady Raiders earned all five of the first-place votes, while Bloomsburg was once again picked as the favorite in the Eastern Division.

Also on Tuesday, the Lady Raiders were ranked No. 2 in the 2010 preseason edition of the Kookaburra/NFHCA Division II Poll. SU totaled 132 points from the coaches balloting, including two first-place votes, and trailed only defending national champion Bloomsburg.

Last year, the Lady Raiders tied a school-record with 20 victories and reached the national semifinals. SU earned a divisional championship, swept the three major awards of the PSAC Western Division and finished the year with five NFHCA All-Americans.

SU had also accomplished something for the second straight season that it had never before accomplished in the 48 seasons prior to 2008 – win a NCAA playoff game.

“We've had a really strong preseason camp,” said senior defender Kristen Brooks. “One of the mottos we had in camp was 'Don't make excuses, make solutions,' so that's hopefully something that we take care of this season.”

The Lady Raiders are ready to take advantage of the opportunity and build off the momentum established by last year's historic campaign. Shippensburg enters the preseason with valuable veterans and a total of 16 returning players. Three seniors lead the list of returners while 35 players reported to preseason camp to compete for spots on the final roster.

“We're all very excited,” said senior forward Amanda Strous. “I'm really excited to work with the talent that we had last year and this year we have some really fresh talent coming in. I'm really excited to see how it all mixes together and I think we're going to do really well this year.”

Among the many talented returning players in 2010 are junior Kristina Taylor, a NFHCA First Team All-American and the 2009 PSAC Western Division Player of the Year, and sophomore Ashley Taylor, a NFHCA Second Team All-American and was the PSAC Western Division Rookie of the Year.

However, the dynamic aspect of the roster could allow for several young newcomers to earn a starting spot alongside the veterans. Those decisions will be made in the final week leading up to the start of the regular season.

“I think two things that we really need to work hard on in practice are focus and intensity,” said senior defender Emily Fulton. “If we focus in every practice and go hard in every practice, it'll pay off in the end.”

The Lady Raider field hockey team is currently training this week in Bermuda in advance of the regular season. Shippensburg's 2010 campaign begins on Saturday, September 4 from the Southern Connecticut State Tournament. SU faces the host Owls at 11 a.m. before a neutral-site contest against St. Michaels at 1:30 p.m. on September 5.

“Something that we understand is that you can't take anything for granted,” Brooks said. “We will have to bring our 'A' game out there every time in order to make every game count.”

PSAC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
(First-place votes in parentheses)

Western Division

1. Shippensburg (5)
2. Mercyhurst
3. Mansfield
4. IUP
5. Slippery Rock

Eastern Division

1. Bloomsburg (5)
2. East Stroudsburg
3. Kutztown
4. Millersville
5. C.W. Post