GNAC Release

HENNIKER, N.H. - The New England College field hockey team was picked to finish 2nd in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Preseason Poll conducted by the league's 11 head coaches. 

NEC earned three first-place votes while earning 110 total points, just one point behind first-place Simmons. NEC and Simmons have met in the postseason each of the last two seasons, with NEC besting Simmons in the 2023 GNAC Quarterfinals, and Simmons eliminating NEC in a shootout in the 2024 GNAC Semifinals. After going 16-4 last season, including a 10-2 record in conference play, en route to earning the second overall seed in the GNAC tournament, the 'Grims enter the 2025 campaign as one of the league's top contenders. 

Elsewhere in the conference, Colby-Sawyer was picked to finish third in the GNAC with two first-place votes while St. Joseph's College of Maine was selected fourth. Lasell earned the final first-place vote while rounding out the top five.  

The 'Grims start their season on Saturday, August 30th as they host Anna Maria. Their conference slate begins a week later on Saturday, September 6th, when they visit Albertus Magnus. 

Preseason Poll Results:

1. Simmons (5) - 111
2. New England College (3) - 110
3. Colby-Sawyer (2) - 98
4. Saint Joseph's (Maine) - 83
5. Lasell (1) - 74
6. University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) - 72
7. Dean - 56
8. Rivier - 54
9. Regis - 35
10. Albertus Magnus - 18
11. Elms - 15

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.