Aug. 9, 2006

Providence, R.I. - Villanova (15-5 in 2005) was chosen to finish fourth in the 2006 BIG EAST Field Hockey Preseason Poll, by votes from the league's seven head coaches. Seniors Lauren Campanelli and Megan Foster were selected to the Preseason All-Big East team.

The University of Louisville was picked to win the conference, followed by Syracuse, 'Nova, Providence, Rutgers and league newcomer Georgetown.

Villanova (15-5, 4-1 BIG EAST) advanced to the BIG EAST Championship final before falling to UConn. Finishing No. 15 in the NFHCA National Poll, VU will welcome back 2006 All-BIG EAST Field Hockey Preseason Team selections seniors Megan Foster and Lauren Campanelli. Foster was a unanimous selection to this year's preseason team as well as a 2005 NFCHA third team All-American.

Last year's squad turned in one of the most successful seasons in program history. The 2005 `Cats achieved the program's first-ever national ranking, captured the first-ever regular season Big East conference title earned #1 seed at the Big East Tournament and tallied a 15-win season.

Louisville (14-7, 3-2 BIG EAST) received five first-place votes in the preseason poll. Javelet will be joined by All-BIG EAST First Team selection, as well as 2006 preseason team selection, junior Janelle Avila. All-BIG EAST Second Team pick, senior Lisa Wasser, is also welcomed back this season.

Connecticut (17-6, 4-1 BIG EAST) advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the 17th time in the program's history in 2005, before falling, 3-2, in double overtime to Duke in the quarterfinals. Capturing the BIG EAST Championship crown for the sixth time in eight years, the Huskies defeated Villanova, 3-2, in overtime and finished No. 10 in the final NFHCA National Poll.

Syracuse (11-9, 3-2 BIG EAST) is ranked third in the preseason poll with two players selected to the 2006 All-BIG EAST Preseason Team. Falling to Villanova in the BIG EAST semifinals, the Orange closed the 2005 season ranked fourth in the conference. Sophomore Heather Hess, 2005 BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, is joined by senior Michelle Sola on the preseason team, both were unanimous selections.

Providence (6-13, 1-4 BIG EAST) has been chosen to finish fifth this season after they closed the 2005 season in sixth place. Unanimous selection, senior Lauren Sickel and junior Abby Maguire have been chosen to the Preseason 2006 All-BIG EAST Team.

Rutgers (7-12, 0-5 BIG EAST) is picked to finish sixth in this season's preseason poll. RU finished the 2005 season with one more win than their previous year, and will return eleven letterwinners and seven starters.

Georgetown (3-14, n/a BIG EAST) has been chosen to finish seventh, as they compete in the BIG EAST for the first time since 1994. GU had opted to become an independent in 1995. The Hoyas welcome back eight starters as head coach Laurie Carroll enters her eighth season.

2006 BIG EAST Field Hockey Preseason Poll

Louisville (5) 35

Connecticut (2) 32

Syracuse 24

Villanova 23

Providence 15

Rutgers 12

Georgetown 6

(-) - Indicates first place votes

2006 BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year

Jessica Javelet, Sr., M, Louisville

2006 BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year

Jennifer Kleinhans, So., D, Connecticut

2006 All-BIG EAST Field Hockey Preseason Team^

Janelle Avila*, Jr., F, Louisville

Lauren Campanelli, Sr., F, Villanova

Megan Foster*, Sr., F, Villanova

Kristin Galuski, Jr., F, Connecticut

Heather Hess*, So, G, Syracuse

Meagan Hoffmann, Sr., M, Connecticut

Jessica Javelet*, Sr., M, Louisville

Jennifer Kleinhans*, So., D, Connecticut

Abby Maguire, Jr., F, Providence

Lizzy Peijs, Jr., F/M, Connecticut

Lauren Sickel*, Sr., M/D, Providence

Michelle Sola*, Sr., D, Syracuse

* - unanimous selections

^ - An extra member has been added to the team due to a tie in voting