Field Hockey | 8/20/2015 2:30:00 PM

LOCK HAVEN, PA. – The Mercyhurst field hockey team has been voted to finish tied for eighth in the 2015 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, released Thursday by the league office. The Lakers earned a spot in the 2014 PSAC Tournament, finishing fifth in the standings.
 
In this year's poll, the defending champions, West Chester, were selected to finish in first place. Last year's runner-up, Millersville, is second, with Shippensburg voted third. East Stroudsburg, Kutztown, and Bloomsburg round out the top six, respectively. The top six teams qualify for the PSAC Tournament.
 
The final five spots in order are: Slippery Rock (7), IUP (T-8), Mercyhurst (T-8), Mansfield (10), and Seton Hill (11).
 
Last season, the Lakers won nine games and scored 48 goals (fourth most in the conference). The win total matches the previous season while the goal total was surpassed from the 2013 campaign, where the Lakers posted 45 goals. Midfielder Emily Burns returns after earning 2014 All-PSAC First Team honors as a sophomore. After starting all 19 games for Mercyhurst last season, the Liverpool, New York native recorded two goals, four assists, and eight points.
 
Mercyhurst opens the 2015 season with three home games, beginning September 5 against Bellarmine University.

2015 PSAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1.) West Chester
2.) Millersville
3.) Shippensburg
4.) East Stroudsburg
5.) Kutztown
6.) Bloomsburg
7.) Slippery Rock
T-8.) IUP
T-8.) Mercyhurst
10.) Mansfield
11.) Seton Hill