BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team has been picked to finish in sixth place in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) standings as the 2023 MASCAC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by conference director of media relations, Emily Loux.

The Bears received seven points in the poll. Worcester State University is the preseason favorite to capture the conference title as the Lancers recorded 24 votes including four first-place votes. Framingham State University and Westfield State University are tied for second in the poll with 18 points apiece. Framingham garnered one first-place vote. Fitchburg State University checks in at fourth place with 37 points and one first-place vote, while Salem State University is fifth with eight points.

Under the guidance of head coach Ashley Bishop (2nd year), the BSU field hockey team opens the 2023 campaign on Saturday, September 2nd when the Bears welcome Plymouth State University to Mazzaferro Field. The season opener will get underway at one o'clock.

The Bears will open Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play on Saturday, September 16th as they travel to Salem State University to take on the Vikings at 11:00 AM.

Team captains Zoe Bergeron (Sr., F/M, Blackstone, Mass.), Charlotte McElroy (Sr., M, Carver, N.H.) and Kelly Sharkey (Sr., D/M, Salisbury, Mass.) will help lead the Bears in 2023.

The MASCAC added field hockey as a varsity sport following the conclusion of the 2022 season. The Bears had previously spent the past 23 years competing under the umbrella of the Little East Conference. The Bears finished tied for 12th place in the 2022 Little East standings with a 1-11 conference mark (2-15 overall).