ANNVILLE (PA) – The Delaware Valley College field hockey team has been selected third in the Freedom Conference preseason coaches' poll that was released today by the conference office. 

The Aggies received 33 points for their highest preseason ranking under fifth-year head Carol Di Girolamo. Two-time defending champion and NCAA Sweet 16 finalist Eastern University was the unanimous choice among the Freedom coaches and received 49 points. The Eagles are ranked 19th in the Kookaburrath/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III poll. 

The entire 2010 Freedom Conference preseason coaches' poll is as follows:

1. Eastern University -- 49 points
2. King's College -- 42 points
3. Delaware Valley College -- 33 points
4. Wilkes University -- 31 points
5. FDU-Florham -- 28 points
6. Misericordia University -- 15 points
7. Manhattanville College -- 14 points
8. DeSales University -- 12 points


Di Girolamo has nine starters back from last year's team that posted a 10-10 overall record and a 4-3 mark in the Freedom. The Aggies were the fourth seed in the conference playoffs and scored in the final minute of regulation to force overtime with Eastern before falling, 2-1, in the semifinals. 

Delaware Valley opens its 2010 season on Wednesday night, September 1 (7:00 p.m.) when it travels to Albright College for a non-conference game.