WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College field hockey team has been selected as the preseason No. 1 according the New England Collegiate Conference Coaches Poll announced on Thursday. Voting was conducted amongst the league's head coaches.

The Pride grabbed six of a possible seven first place votes in the poll. Wheelock College, the only NECC team to beat Regis last season, grabbed the number two spot in the poll. Anna Maria was picked third and grabbed the final first place vote. The Pride defeated the AMCATS 3-1 in last year's NECC Championship game.

Rounding out the poll was Becker at No. 4, Elms at No.5, and Daniel Webster and Bay Path at No. 6 and No. 7, respectively.

Regis returns nearly all of its offensive output from a year ago as the sophomore duo of Cheyenne Genga (South Windsor, Conn.) and Sashae Walls (Everett, Mass.) combined for 18 goals last season and tied for the team lead with nine tallies apiece. 2011 NECC Tournament MVP Stacy Burns (Waltham, Mass.) also looks to build on a strong season that saw her record six goals and add an assist for 13 points.

The Pride begins its 2012 campaign hosting Mount Holyoke College on September 1 at 12:00 p.m.

2012 NECC Field Hockey Coaches Poll
(First place votes in parentheses)