SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. – The Shippensburg University field hockey team was voted second in the 2023 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll released Monday afternoon by the league office.
 
Announced through the PSAC's social media channels, the preseason coaches' polls are voted on by conference head coaches. It is not permitted for coaches to vote for their own team.
 
Shippensburg received two of the available 10 first-place votes to take second in the preseason rankings, just behind East Stroudsburg at the top with six first-place votes. Gathering the remainder of the first-place votes was Kutztown in third place.
 
Following a national championship appearance in 2022, SU will retain 19 players from last year's team, including two NFHCA All-Americans. The Raiders have also made several new additions as they welcome seven freshmen and two transfers to the 2023 roster.
 
Having already won a scrimmage versus Saint Francis on Saturday, SU has one more preseason game coming up as they play Messiah at home on Saturday at 3 p.m.
 
The Raiders will officially open their 2023 season at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 1 when they host Mount Olive at Robb Sports Complex.
 
2023 Field Hockey Preseason Poll
(# number of first-place votes)
 
1. East Stroudsburg (6)
2. Shippensburg (2)
3. Kutztown (2)
4. West Chester
5. Millersville
6. IUP
7. Bloomsburg
8. Mansfield
9. Slippery Rock
10. Mercyhurst