Liberty, Syracuse, Boston College make gains in Division I week 1 coaches poll: NFHCA

The NHFCA published its Division I week one poll Tuesday.

After some major upsets and unpredicted wins, the first week of Division I field hockey comes to an end.

Defying the odds, Liberty University climbs eight ranks to No. 9. The Lady Flames previously ranked No. 17 in the NFHCA Preseason poll.

Syracuse had an electrifying week of games, and as a result the Orange now finish off the top 5. Previously ranked No.11, Hattie Madden scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Ohio State University. The Buckeyes previously ranked No. 13 and now sit at No. 12.

A team to keep a close watch on is Boston College. The Eagles rank No. 4, a big jump from their original rank at No. 8. BC defeated Maryland, who previously ranked No. 4, in a 2-0 stunner.

It is no surprise to see Northwestern, North Carolina, and Virginia still holding strong as the top three.

Northwestern’s Juliana Boon was named as the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after the Wildcats recorded the program’s first ever four-shutout streak to start a season.

UMass, Amherst remains at the No. 14 spot in the week one poll. Head coach Barb Weinberg earned her 100th career win versus Brown, where the Minutewomen won 3-2.

The National Field Hockey Coaches Association posted the Week One poll rankings Tuesday.

According to the NFHCA, the poll is voted on by designated NFHCA member coaches from each conference and has no bearing on selection to the NCAA Division I Field Hockey Championship.

Bolded teams have moved position higher or lower from week-to-week.

20. Miami (OH), 3-0 (unranked)

19. Monmouth, 4-0 (unranked)

18. Rutgers, 2-2 (16)

17. Penn State, 2-1 (18)

16. UConn, 2-1 (11)

15. Iowa, 3-1 (15)

14. UMass Amherst, 4-0 (14)

13. SJU, 2-1 (9)

12. Ohio State University, 2-2 (13)

11. Princeton, 1-1 (10)

10. Maryland, 2-2 (4)

9. Liberty, 3-0 (17)

8. Harvard, 2-0 (6)

7. Michigan, 2-1 (7)

6. Duke, 2-2 (5)

5. Syracuse, 4-0 (11)

4. Boston College, 3-1 (8)

3. Virginia, 3-0 (3)

2. UNC, 4-0 (2)

1. Northwestern, 4-0 (1)

Thank you for reading Female Athlete News. Sydney Madden is a student-intern at Penn State University.