Bulldogs to finish third in preseason poll

SOMERSET, N.J. – For the second year in a row, the Bryant University field hockey team was selected to finish third in the newly reinstated Northeast Conference as announced Friday.

"I am excited to go to battle with every team in the NEC," said head coach Joppe de Vries. "I am happy that the NEC is back as we are trying to make our conference stronger than it has ever been before. Being third is nice, and it's time for us to live up to that expectation."

The Bulldogs received one first-place vote finishing behind Fairfield (5) and Rider (1). Sacred Heart trailed the Black and Gold in the fourth spot while LIU and Merrimack tied for fifth. Wagner rounded out the 2019 preseason poll in seventh.  

Bryant returns 13 from last season including three-time MAAC Rookie of the Week, Marijn Jaarsma (Uithoorn, Netherlands). Jaarsma was the anchor in Bryant's line of defense last season recording a .771 save percentage, 131 saves, and three shutouts while between the pipes. The rising sophomore ranked among the top ten in the country for save percentage and saves per game with 7.47.

On the offensive side, the Bulldogs return their leading goal scorer from a year ago in junior Ally Burdick (Cambridge, N.Y.). Burdick appeared in all 18 games, making 12 starts, and recorded three goals.

The Bulldogs also return seniors Clare Luttrell (Freehold, N.J.) and Freya Ward (Sussex, England) who also appeared in all 18 games. 

Bryant opens its season on Friday, August 30 at Lock Haven. For a look at the full 2019 slate, click HERE.

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FULL NEC PRESEASON POLL
1. Fairfield (5)
2. Rider (1)
3. Bryant (1)
4. Sacred Heart
5 (tie). LIU
    Merrimack
7. Wagner