Field Hockey Ranked 14th in Preseason Poll
August 21, 2006 | Field Hockey
Aug. 21, 2006
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - - The University of Louisville field hockey team has been ranked No. 14 in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association preseason poll. Nine of the Cardinals' 19 opponents are also ranked among the nation's top 20. The Cards will play host to tenth-ranked Indiana in their final preseason game on Tuesday, August 22 at 5 p.m. at Trager Stadium.
Louisville, the preseason favorite to win the BIG EAST title, returns 17 letterwinners and eight starters from last year's team which led the nation in scoring and finished 12th in the final NFHCA coaches poll. The Cards will look to preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year senior Jessica Javelet to resume her role as the offensive spark. The two-time All-America selection led the nation in scoring with 30 goals and 74 points in 2005 and was named 2006 BIG EAST Co-Offensive Player of the Year. Junior Janelle Avila was also a preseason BIG EAST first team selection and is coming off of a stellar sophomore season. The 2005 first team All-BIG EAST and West Region selection was tied for fifth in the nation in goals with 20 and tied for sixth in the nation with 49 points.
The Cards officially kick off the 2006 season at Champions Challenge in Durham, N.C. where they will face 2005 NCAA runner-up Duke on August 26. The winner of that game will play the winner of a matchup between No. 16 Michigan State and Delaware on August 27.
Complete NFHCA Preseason Poll in PDF Format
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