East Stroudsburg University field hockey was favored by league coaches in the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Field Hockey Preseason Poll.
Here is the full statement about the vote, according to the PSAC.
“The Warriors, receiving six first-place votes in this year’s poll, completed 2022’s impressive run with a 20-2 overall record (7-2 PSAC) that culminated in a NCAA Division II Championship Game victory over fellow PSAC foe Shippensburg, 1-0. The Warriors’ allowed only nine goals all season (a 0.41 goals-against-average, best in the Division II) and scored 70 times, second only to West Chester in the PSAC. Critical to the defensive excellence was Amy Supey in goal, an All-PSAC First Team selection who returns in 2023 and led the conference in shutouts (seven), save percentage (.873), and goals-against-average (.412).
Also returning for the Warriors in 2023 are four All-PSAC Second Team honorees: forward Madison Kline (10 goals, six assists in 2022), Nicole Krozser (10 goals, four assists), Jady van Gils (two goals, 10 assists), and defender Maddy Barbush. A pair of veteran players that were selected All-PSAC Third team also return—forward Hanna Lewis (10 goals, two assists) and midfielder Lia Parker (eight goals, four assists.)
The 2022 NCAA Division II runner-up Shippensburg Raiders were voted No. 2 in the preseason poll, receiving two first-place votes. Shippensburg finished 2022 with a 16-3 overall record (7-2 PSAC) and scored 67 goals (the third-highest total in the conference.) 2022 PSAC Field Hockey Freshman of the Year and All-PSAC First Team selection Agus Garabaldi returns after leading the Raiders with 17 goals and will be joined by All-PSAC Second Team honorees Tess Jedeloo (14 goals last season), midfielder Emilia Conners, and back Savannah Silvestre.
The Kutztown Golden Bears are the No. 3 team in the 2023 preseason poll, also collecting a pair of first-place votes. Kutztown was the No. 1 seed for the 2023 PSAC Tournament under 2022 PSAC Field Hockey Coach of the Year Marci Scheuing and finished the season 16-3 overall (8-1 PSAC). The team’s 3.47 goals per game were third-most in Division II and the team returns a pair of 2022 All-PSAC selections: First Team back Sarah Gatehouse and Third Team midfielder Juliana Donato. Erin Gonzalez, the team’s top returning point scorer, tallied nine goals and two assists in 2022.
West Chester, the No. 4 team in the poll, utilized an explosive attack to finish the 2022 season 15-5 overall (6-3 PSAC), with its 4.40 goals per game, 3.70 assists per game, and scoring margin (3.16) all top marks in all of Division II. Returners for the Golden Rams include All-PSAC First Team selections Claudia Jaszczak (15 goals in 2022) and Paige Wolfe (nine goals and seven assists) as well as All-PSAC Second Team forward Jasmine Miller, who scored 12 goals a season ago.
The Millersville Marauders (16-5 overall, 7-2 PSAC) were selected No. 5 in the poll after advancing all the way to the PSAC Championship game and losing a heartbreaker to East Stroudsburg, 3-2, in overtime. The team welcomes back a trio of All-PSAC Third Team selections from 2022, including forward Bri Harsh, midfielder Codi Bollinger, and back Caroline Griffin. The Marauders earned 12 penalty corners per game, the second-highest total in all of Division II.
IUP, Bloomsburg, Mansfield, Slippery Rock, and Mercyhurst round out the remainder of the 2023 poll.
The 2023 PSAC field hockey season kicks off in full on Friday, September 1.
2023 PSAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll (# of first-place votes)
1. East Stroudsburg (6)
2. Shippensburg (2)
3. Kutztown (2)
4. West Chester
5. Millersville
6. IUP
7. Bloomsburg
8. Mansfield
9. Slippery Rock
10. Mercyhurst
Photo: Provided by East Stroudsburg University Athletics
