Westfield, Mass.— After winning the first MASCAC Tournament Championship last season, Worcester State has been voted by the coaches around the league to repeat as the 2024 MASCAC Field Hockey Champion in the preseason poll.

Receiving four of the six first place votes, the 2023 MASCAC Regular Season and Tournament Champion Lancers were 9-1 during league action in 2023. Returning is All-Conference honoree Madison Avilla. Over her 20 games started, Avilla tallied 19 goals and seven assists for 45 points, including four game-winning goals.

Grabbing the final two first place votes is Westfield State in second place. The Owls were 8-2 during the 2023 campaign. Taylor Creech is back for the Owls after collecting seven goals and three assists for 17 points and two-game winners.

Sitting in third is Framingham State. The Rams were runner-up in the conference tournament last year and 5-5 during the regular season. Reigning MASCAC Rookie of the Year Ashley Malmquist returns for the Rams. She was second in the league last season in goals scored (13), third in assists (six) and points (32) with two game-winners to earn a spot on the All-Conference squad.

 

Fitchburg State lands in the fourth spot. The Falcons collected three wins last season in MASCAC play. Back in goal for the Falcons is All-Conference honoree Jenna Morse. She made 149 saves with .756 save percentage, only allowed 48 goals with a 2.85 goals against average in 2023.

 

Rounding out the 2024 preseason poll are Bridgewater State and Salem State in fifth and sixth, respectively. For the Bears, Lexi James returns after netting nine goals and four assists for 22 points to earn a spot on the All-Conference team. For the Vikings, All-Conference defensive honoree Aleena Frith returns after she was a role player for the Salem State backline last season.

 

The 2024 field hockey season gets underway August 30-31 with five of the six MASCAC teams in non-conference action. Grab all the details at mascac.com and mascac.tv.

 

(First Place Votes In Parentheses)

 

1. Worcester State (4) - 24 points

2. Westfield State (2) - 22 points

3. Framingham State - 17 points

4. Fitchburg State - 11 points

5. Bridgewater State - 9 points

6. Salem State - 7 points