South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Announces Field Hockey Preseason Poll
ROCK HILL, S.C. - Limestone is slated to be the top team in the 2019 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Field Hockey Preseason Coaches Poll, as voted upon by the league’s six head coaches.
The Saints earned five first-place votes and 41 total points. They wrapped up the 2018 season with an impressive 14-4 record, going 9-1 in conference play, winning the regular season and conference tournament championships.
The 2018 Saints featured South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Player of the Year, Kelly Diplock. The forward from Harare, Zimbabwe, lead the conference in goals (17), assists (13), points (47), and game-winning goals (7). She started every game for the Saints and she garnered South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Offensive Player of the Week honors during the season.
Queens University of Charlotte captured the second-place slot with one first-place vote and 37 points in the poll. Finishing the 2018 season with a 9-10 overall record, going 6-4 in conference play. Reigning Freshman of the Year, Karla Von Ehren, returns to lead the Royals. She had an outstanding first season with the Royals, starting in 13 of her 15 games. The Hamburg, Germany, native scored six goals, including two conference game-winners, and dishing out three assists during the 2018 season. She was also a two-time Offensive Player of the Week in 2018.
Coker followed closely behind in the No. 3 spot with 30 points. The Cobras completed their inaugural season in 2018 with a record of 6-7 overall and 5-5 in conference. Led by 2018 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year Kat Lind, the Cobras were the one team to defeat Limestone in conference play last season, with a thrilling 1-0 win at Limestone.
Belmont Abbey snagged the No. 4 spot in the poll with 26 votes to their credit. The Crusaders finished the 2018 season with a record of 6-10 overall, going 6-4 in conference action.
Newberry earned the No. 5 spot with 25 points, including one first place vote. The Wolves wrapped up the 2018 season with an overall record of 8-10 , including going 3-7 in conference play.
Converse took home the No. 6 spot in the poll with 18 points. The Valkyries went 1-15 overall and 1-9 in the conference a year ago.
Rounding out the poll is first-year program, Mount Olive with 12 points.
In addition to the 2019 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll, the 2019 Preseason All-Conference teams were also announced. Voted on by the league's media relations directors, the preseason all-conference teams features six players from Limestone, five players each from Coker, four players from Belmont Abbey, three players from Queens, two players from Newberry, and a player from Converse.
The 2019 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas season is set to begin on the weekend of September 6.
2019 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE CAROLINAS PRESEASON POLL
|
Rank
|
School (First Place Votes)
|
Points
|
|
1.
|
Limestone (5)
|
41
|
|
2.
|
Queens (1)
|
37
|
|
3.
|
Coker
|
30
|
|
4.
|
Belmont Abbey
|
26
|
|
5.
|
Newberry (1)
|
25
|
|
6.
|
Converse
|
18
|
|
7.
|
Mount Olive
|
12
|
2019 SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE CAROLINAS PRESEASON ALL-CONFERNECE TEAMS
First Team
Brady Keeler, SR, F, Newberry
Amelia Gajewski, SR, MF, Coker
Kelly Diplock, JR, F, Limestone
Millie Eaton-Jones, SO, MF, Queens
Cameron Felch, SR, D, Limestone
Farai Kawonde, JR, MF, Newberry
Mazvita Mtisi, SR, F, Queens
Thando Muchemenyi, JR, F, Limestone
Gwen Lewis, SO, F, Limestone
Kate Remley, SR, MF, Limestone
Sophia Kottmer, JR, D, Limestone
Carey Karl, SR, D, Queens
Paige Hinds, SR, GK, Belmont Abbey
Honorable Mention
Alyssa Baronella-O'Toole, SR, F, Coker
Kelly Mason, SR, F, Coker
Laura Harrison, SO, D, Belmont Abbey
Angelina Perrone, JR, F, Belmont Abbey