Aug. 19, 2008
LANCASTER, PA - The Johns Hopkins field hockey team has been picked to finish second in the 2008 Centennial Conference preseason coaches poll with 94 points. The Blue Jays received four of seven first place votes and are ranked just three points behind the defending champion Ursinus Bears.
Coming in third are the Gettysburg Bullets with 77 points, followed by the Franklin & Marshall Diplomats (70) and the Muhlenberg Mules (69). Hopkins posted a 14-6 record in 2007 while finishing as the runner-up to Ursinus. The Blue Jays earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, falling in the first round to the Juniata Eagles. Hopkins was ranked 11th in the final NFHCA poll of 2007.
Hopkins opens the season at the annual Black-Eyed Susan Tournament hosted by Stevenson University. The Blue Jays will face the Christopher Newport Captains in their opening round game on August 30. Hopkins home opener falls on September 17 against Salisbury. The Blue Jays then open their Centennial Conference slate on September 19 against the Bullets.
Head coach Megan C. Fraser returns an outstanding corps in 2008 with All-Americans Emily Miller (Garden City, NY/Garden City), Adair Landy (Montclair, NJ/Montclair) and Leah Horton (Wayne, PA/Upper Merion Area).
Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
School (1st Place Votes) - Points
1. Ursinus (7) - 97
2. Johns Hopkins (4) - 94
3. Gettysburg - 77
4. Franklin & Marshall - 70
5. Muhlenberg - 69
6. McDaniel - 43
T7. Dickinson - 40
T7. Swarthmore - 40
9. Haverford - 34
10. Washington - 31
11. Bryn Mawr - 10
