GORHAM, Maine – Receiving 98 points, the University of Southern Maine Huskies' field hockey team was picked fourth in the 2021 Little East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. Worcester State received eight first place votes and totaled 138 points to finish atop of the preseason standings, while Keene State earned a pair of first place votes and 125 points to finish second. Western Connecticut had three first place votes and 102 points to edge out the Huskies for a preseason third place.
Returning to Hannaford Field for a full season for the first time in 2019, the Huskies open their 2021 campaign at home on Wednesday, September 1 (7:00 pm) hosting non-conference opponent Thomas College. Missing out on a full season in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, USM completed the 2019 season with a record of 13-9 and 10-2 in the Little East. USM advanced to the semifinals of the 2019 LEC tourney, and fell to eventual champion Worcester State 3-2 in overtimes.
Led by veteran head coach Bonny Brown Denico '91, '98, Southern Maine returns two-time All-Conference forward and 2018 Rookie of the Year
Samantha Ellis (New Vineyard, Maine/Mt. Blue). Ellis has 22 goals and 10 assists (54 points) in her career, including five game-winning goals. Just the second Husky to earn LEC Rookie of the Year honors, Ellis earned second team all-conference accolades in 2018 and 2019. In the top 20 for career goals scored and assists, Ellis' 54 career points are tied for 18th in Husky record books. A two-time National Field Hockey Coaches' Association (NFHCA) Academic Squad selection, Ellis is a Nursing major.
In addition to Ellis, USM has a solid group of newcomers to the squad including sophomores
Brooke Carson (Bryant Pond, Maine/Oxford Hills),
Mary Keef (Westbrook, Maine) and freshman
Elizabeth Gonyea (Rindge, N.H./Conant). A three-sport athlete at Oxford Hills, Carson earned All-State honors as a member of the Vikings' field hockey team as a senior. Carson featured in USM's COVI-19 abbreviated 2020 spring season, playing and starting in each of the three games, recording an assist in USM's 2-1 overtime loss to Colby. A Business major, Carson earned NFHCA National Academic Squad honors.
A four-time All-SMAA selection at Westbrook and a two-time All-State pick, Keef notched a goal in 2020's three-game season. A Finance major, Keef earned 2020 National Field Hockey Coaches' Association (NFHCA) Academic Squad recognition.
A four-time All-State pick in field hockey for Conant High School earning first team honors as a junior and senior, Gonyea is a Nursing major. Also a member of the Huskies' women's basketball team, Gonyea was the NH Division III Player of the Year in basketball as a junior and senior.
| 2021 Little East Conference Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll (FPV) |
| 1. |
Worcester State |
138 points |
(8) |
| 2. |
Keene State |
125 points |
(2) |
| 3. |
Western Connecticut |
102 points |
(3) |
| 4 |
Southern Maine |
98 points |
|
| 5. |
Castleton |
95 points |
|
| 6. |
Plymouth State |
84 points |
|
| 7. |
Salem State |
74 points |
|
| 8. |
Eastern Connecticutr |
73 points |
|
| 9. |
Westfield State |
44 points |
|
| 10. |
Bridgewater State |
41 points |
|
| 11. |
UMass Dartmouth |
37 points |
|
| 12. |
Framingham State |
28 points |
|
| 13. |
Fitchburg State |
25 points |
|
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