BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team has been picked to finish in 11th place in the Little East Conference (LEC) standings as the 2022 Little East Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by LEC Associate Commissioner, Daryl Konicki.

The Bears received 26 points in the conference poll. Keene State College is the preseason favorite to capture the Little East title as the Owls recorded 134 points including six first place votes. Eastern Connecticut State University (132 points) and Worcester State University (122 points) rounded out the top three teams in the poll. The defending champion Warriors picked up a five first place votes while the Lancers notched a pair.

Under the guidance of first-year head coach Ashley Bishop, the Bridgewater State field hockey team will open the 2022 schedule on Thursday, September 1st when the Bears travel to Nichols College for a seven o'clock game with the Bison. Bridgewater State then welcomes Simmons University to Swenson Field for the home opener on Wednesday, September 7th also at seven o'clock. The Bears will open Little East play at home against Westfield State University on Saturday, September 17th at 3:00 PM.

Returning veterans Sophia Morse (Sr., West Bridgewater, Mass.), Jordyn Perry (Sr., Nantucket, Mass.), Bailey Turner (Sr., Dedham, Mass.), Zoe Bergeron (Jr., Blackstone, Mass.), Carolyn Greendale (Jr., Natick, Mass.), Charlotte McElroy (Jr., Carver, Mass.), Erin Power (Jr., Byfield, Mass.), Hannah Rolfe (Jr., Easton, Mass.) and Kelly Sharkey (Jr., Salisbury, Mass.) will help lead Bridgewater State in 2022.

Bishop will have a first-year heavy roster entering the 2022 season. The program looks to rebuild back to prominence with a strong recruiting class and core leadership from seniors Morse, Perry and Turner. Freshman goalkeeper Ashley Hamelin (Whitinsville, Mass.) and freshman defender Emelia Westwater (Attleboro, Mass.) are two of the key newcomers to the squad. Hamelin will anchor a defensive-minded team looking to build off of the late-season offensive momentum from 2021.

To follow the BSU field hockey team during the 2022 season, please check the Bears' online schedule for Live Stats and/or Webcast links for all games.