PITMAN--After capturing their third consecutive NJAC championship in 2008 en route to advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament, The College of New Jersey was selected as the 2009 preseason field hockey favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The Lions, who posted a 16-3 overall record in 2008, are seeking their 23rd conference crown since 1982.

Led by 25th-year head coach Sharon Pfluger, the Lions were selected to finish first on four-of-the-seven ballots cast by the league head coaches. Under the 2008 NJAC Coach of the Year, TCNJ has recorded a 364-57-5 record, while Pfluger’s overall career head coaching record stands at 433-76-9. The NJAC Champions in 2005,  2006, and 2007, TCNJ has gone 18-0 in NJAC conference play over the course of the past three seasons. The Lions return two all-conference players from their 2008 NJAC championship squad including junior back Mary Waller, and the reigning NJAC Rookie of the Year in sophomore midfielder Alaxandria Okuniewicz. 

Rowan University, which finished 15-5 overall in 2008 and advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament after earning an at-large selection, was selected to finish second and received three first place votes. Now in her 12th season at the helm of the Profs, head coach Penny Kempf has recorded a career coaching record of 173-44. Rowan returns a pair of all-conference players from its 2008 NJAC runner-up squad in senior back Kacey Ehret and junior attacker Lauren Ross. 

Montclair State University, under the direction of eighth-year head coach Beth Gottung, was selected to place third. Under Gottung’s leadership, the Red Hawks have posted an overall mark of 99-37, including a record of 11-7 during the 2008 season. MSU returns a pair of all-conference senior midfielders from its 2008 squad in Megan Walsh and Melissa Buttray.

William Paterson University, which advanced to the semifinals of the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Tournament in 2008, was selected to place fourth and was tapped as the coaches’ dark horse selection. The Pioneers placed third in the NJAC in 2008 and finished with an overall record of 15-4. Led by sixth-year head coach Lindsay Bard, WPU has accumulated an overall record of 57-33 during her tenure. The Pioneers return a pair of all-league performers from 2008, including senior midfielder Jodi Feriod, and two-time NJAC Goaltender of the Year, senior Christina Auger.

Kean University, which captured the championship of the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Tournament in 2008 en route to a 17-5 overall record, was selected to place fifth. The Cougars will be led by new head coach Leslie LaFronz, who previously served a head coaching stint at Ramapo. The Cougars return a pair of all-conference players from their ECAC Championship squad including senior attacker Brittany Gibbs and junior back Joelle Vitale. 

Richard Stockton College, led by new head coach Michelle Andre, was selected to place sixth. Andre previously served a five-year head coaching stint at the University of Rochester, accumulating an overall record of 53-43. She inherits an Osprey squad which posted a 4-15 overall record in 2008.

Ramapo College, led by second-year head coach Concetta Valerio, was selected to place seventh. The Roadrunners posted a 7-11 overall record during Valerio’s rookie season of 2008.

The 28th season of NJAC field hockey will get under way on Tuesday, September 1 with six conference teams in non-conference action. Conference play will begin on Saturday, September 19 when Rowan travels to face William Paterson in the first league contest of the season. The NJAC does not sponsor a conference tournament in field hockey, meaning the league championship is awarded to the team with the best record in regular season conference play. The NJAC field hockey champion receives the conference’s automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.