Women's Ice Hockey

Cape Cod, Mass. - The Saint Anselm women's ice hockey team was picked to finish fourth in the ECAC East this season.  The Hawks finished third in the ECAC East last season and took third in the ECAC Open Tournament with a 16-9-2 record (13-5-1 ECAC). Conference rival Manhattanville College was picked to take first, receiving five first-place and 168 total votes.

The Hawks return 15 players from last season's third-place finish, and are joined by nine newcomers.  Head coach Kerstin Matthews returns for her second season in charge of the Hawks, assisted by newcomer Karilyn Pilch.  Maria Dougherty (Middletown, R.I.) and Alexa Hingston (Charlestown, Mass.) will lead as this year's head captains, assisted by juniors Carley Berry (Danvers, Mass.) and Kristen Byrne (Duxbury, Mass.).

The Hawks open their season on Friday, November 6th, when they host the Saint Michael's College Purple Knights in Sullivan Arena at 7:00 pm.  Check back here next week for the full preview of the Hawks' upcoming season.

ECAC East Preseason Poll Results:

1.    Manhattanville
2.    Holy Cross
3.    Norwich
4.    Saint Anselm
5.    UMass-Boston
6.    Southern Maine
7.    Salve Regina
8.    New England Col.
9.    Castleton
10.  Saint Michael's
11.  Nichols
12.  Plymouth St.