Cavaliers Ranked Sixth in NFHCA Preseason Poll

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia field hockey team is ranked sixth in the Kookaburra/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) preseason poll, released Tuesday. The Cavaliers open the 2009 campaign at 3 p.m. Friday at home against Miami (Ohio).

Virginia finished the 2008 season ranked No. 12 by the NFHCA after reaching the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers return 13 letterwinners from that squad, including all-region performers Traci Ragukas, Paige Selenski, Michelle Vittese and Floor Vogels.

The Cavaliers face a tough slate in 2009, as nine of Virginia’s opponents (Maryland, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Michigan State, Duke, Penn State, Boston College, Old Dominion, Providence), are ranked in the top-20 poll. Five more schools (Boston University, Kent State, Ohio, Richmond, Miami) received votes.

2009 Kookaburra/NFHCA Division I Preseason Poll