Freedom Conference Release / 2010 Schedule / 2010 Roster

WILKES-BARRE – Wilkes University has been picked fourth in the Freedom Conference field hockey preseason coaches' poll, it was announced Thursday morning.

After going 15-4 overall last season, earning the two-seed in the conference tournament with a 6-1 record, the Lady Colonels received 31 points, just two behind third place Delaware Valley. Defending conference champion Eastern came in first with seven first place votes, while King's was voted in at number two. FDU-Florham placed fifth, while Misericordia, Manhattanville and DeSales round out the rest of the conference.

The Lady Colonels will have a new look this year as Mollie Reichard takes the reins as head coach of the program. She comes to Wilkes from Division I Old Dominion, where she spent the 2009 season as an assistant coach and served as the Lady Monarchs recruiting coordinator. She helped ODU to a 9-11 overall record, going 5-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association. She also served on the South Region All-American committee for the 2009 season.

Reichard will look to replace three of Wilkes' top four scorers from a 2009 team that led the conference in goals per game (3.74) and scoring average (4.74). She will look for the defense to again play a huge role, as the Lady Colonels finished second in goals allowed per game with 1.63 and the goalies combined for a .765 save percentage.

The Lady Colonels start their season on Wednesday, September 1 when they travel to Ramapo to take on the Roadrunners. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m.

2010 Freedom Conference Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1. Eastern 49 pts. (7)
2. King's 42 pts. (1)
3. Delaware Valley 33 pts.
4. Wilkes 31 pts.
5. FDU-Florham 28 pts.
6. Misericordia 15 pts.
7. Manhattanville 14 pts.
8. DeSales 12 pts.

(#) denotes fist place votes