AMHERST — The UMass field hockey team was picked to finish second in the Atlantic 10 Conference in the annual preseason coaches poll, the league announced Monday.
The Minutewomen picked up one first-place vote and 72 points behind only the eight first-place votes and 80 points of defending champion Saint Joseph’s. Richmond, VCU, Lock Haven, Saint Francis, La Salle, Saint Louis and Davidson rounded out the poll behind UMass.
The conference also announced its preseason all-conference team, which included three members of the Minutewomen. Junior defender Sophie de Jonge was joined on the list by sophomores Lucy Cooper and Georgia McTear, both of whom were A-10 All-Rookie team selections last year.
UMass opens its season Friday at the Wildcat Classic in Durham, New Hampshire, against the hosts, New Hampshire, a 6 p.m.