BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University field hockey team has been picked to finish in tenth place in the Little East Conference (LEC) standings as the 2021 Little East Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll was released today by LEC Associate Commissioner, Daryl Konicki.

The Bears received 41 points in the conference poll. Worcester State University is the preseason favorite to capture the Little East title as the defending champion Lancers recorded 138 points including eight first place votes. Keene State College (125 points) and Western Connecticut State University (102 points) rounded out the top three teams in the poll. The Owls picked up a pair of first place votes while the Colonials notched three.

Under the guidance of head coach Julia Mauro (3rd Year), the Bridgewater State field hockey team will return to the pitch for the first time since 2019. The Bears finished in 11th place in the 2019 Little East standings with a 2-10 conference mark (2-15 overall).

Returning veterans Victoria Camara (Sr., Westport, Mass.), Juliana Golemo (Jr., Leicester, Mass.), Aidan Ryan (Sr., Uxbridge, Mass.), Emma Schoonover (Jr., Somerset, Mass.), Olivia Sheehan (Jr., Hanson, Mass.) and Katie Swart (Sr., Bridgewater, Mass.) will help lead Bridgewater State in 2021.

The Bears will open the season at home on Wednesday, September 1st when they entertain Nicholas College at seven o'clock. The Little East schedule gets underway on Saturday, September 18th as the Bears travel to Westfield State University for a two o'clock game with the Owls.