Bridgewater, NJ - The Northeast Conference has released their field hockey preseason poll with Mercyhurst coming in 9th in the NEC. The Lakers will take on a new challenge this season as they tackle their first season as a Division I program with second year head coach Mackenzie Hadfield at the helm.

After finishing 2-14 and 10th in the PSAC last season, Mercyhurst hopes to establish themselves as a strong force in the NEC. They started off well, defeating Roberts Wesleyan University twice, 12-0 and 9-0 in their first two games.

In hopes of having success in the new conference, the Lakers return their goalkeeper, senior Kayla Desormeau. She racked up 156 saves last season, which was the fourth most in Division II. Desormeau averaged 10.4 saves per game, also coming in fourth in the nation. Desormeau had eight games in which she saved 10 or more shots and had a season-high of 19, coming in the team's final game on October 28th against Shippensburg.

The Lakers begin their season with an NEC matchup against Rider University on September 1st while playing inside the friendly confines for the first time on the 6th when they host Sacred Heart.