WESTFIELD, Mass.  – The Westfield State field hockey team was pegged as the number four team in the Little East Conference, based on a preseason poll by coaches around the league.

 The Owls went 10-10 last year, but clawed their way all the way to the LEC title game before finally being ousted by Keene State.

 The defending LEC champions Keene State did not top the poll however, as Worcester State grabbed the top slot with seven first place votes totaling 138 points. Keene State was picked second, receiving five first place votes and 133 points, followed by Plymouth State who picked up the last first place vote and 114 points. The Owls grabbed the fourth spot, receiving 100 points.

 The Owls return their top point-getter in junior Cora Rogers (Milford, NH), who tallied 17 goals along with 3 assists last season. The club will look to senior captains Carly Zona (Auburn) and Brittany Bowes (Leicester) to help lead the team back to another LEC championship game.

 Field hockey will begin action against the Sage Colleges this Saturday, September 1 at 1:00 p.m. in Troy, NY. The game will be played at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).