MASCAC Releases 2023 Field Hockey Preseason Poll
FITCHBURG, MA: With Six core institutions competing in field hockey, the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) will host its own postseason for the first time in 2023. The MASCAC schools had previously competed in the Little East Conference. Of the six core institutions, Worcester State was selected by the coaches to claim the top spot in the inaugural season.
Last season MASCAC Regular Season Champions Worcester State finished with four first place votes for 24 points in this year’s poll. The Lancers were undefeated at 5-0 among the conference teams in 2022. Coming back is Madison Ferrera in goal, who started in all 21 games for the Lancers and led the conference in goals against average at 1.745, and second in the conference with a .830 save percentage.
Tied for the second spot are Framingham State and Westfield State with 18 points. Both teams were 3-2 in the MASCAC in 2022. For the Rams, Kondi was named All-LEC third team after scoring six goals and seven assists, good for 19 points on the year. Kondi netted three game-winners and made one defensive save on the season. For the Owls, Skyla Harthcock led the team with 30 points and 10 assists and shared the team lead in goals. Harthcock’s 10 assists were the fourth-best single season in Westfield State program history to help her land on the LEC All-Conference team.
Fitchburg State is fourth with the final first place vote with 15 points. The Falcons also were 3-2 in the league last season. All-Conference goalie Jenna Morse (Leominster, MA) looks to repeat her success after she earned her first All-Conference nod after anchoring the Falcons defense, totaling 160 saves with a 1.83 goals against average and an .833 save percentage with nine wins in the cage.
Rounding out the 2023 poll is Salem State in fifth and Bridgewater State in sixth. The Vikings had eight points in the poll. The sister duo of Melanie and Mikayla Mason are back after Melanie, a second team selection in 2021, led Salem State with seven goals last season. Mikayla earned her second straight all-conference appearance after leading the Vikings with four assists, and her 10 points were second most on the team. The Bears tallied seven points and returned Zoe Bergeron, who netted two goals and two assists for six points last season
To view the full MASCAC release, click HERE.
2023 MASCAC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll
(First Place Votes In Parentheses)
1. Worcester State (4) 24 points
2. Framingham State (1) 18 points
Westfield State 18 points
4. Fitchburg State (1) 15 points
5. Salem State 8 points
6. Bridgewater State 7 points
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