University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Picked to Finish Fifth in MAAC Preseason Poll
9/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
STORRS, CT (September 20) – The MAAC League Ice Hockey coaches selected Connecticut as the preseason No. 5 in the 2002 preseason poll announced by the league office on Thursday afternoon. Mercyhurst was picked as the preseason favorite to win the 2003 MAAC Hockey League Championship, edging out defending champions Quinnipiac for the top spot.
Connecticut completed its fourth season at the Division I level in 2001-02, earning a bid to the MAAC Championship for the fourth time in as many years. The Huskies completed the season with a record of 13-16-7 overall, 11-10-5 in the MAAC. UConn upset the No. 3 seed Holy Cross, 6-5, in the MAAC Quarterfinals, before dropping a 5-0 loss to the top-seed Mercyhurst in the semifinals. The semifinal appearance was the third for UConn in the last four years.
Grabbing the third and fourth positions, behind Mercyhurst and Quinnipiac, in the 2002-03 MAAC preseason poll were Sacred Heart and Holy Cross. Even though Quinnipiac earned five first place votes to Mercyhurst’s four, the Lakers received more overall points totaling 109. Sacred Heart claimed the last two of the 11 votes. UConn just edged out Canisius with 69 points.
Adam Tackaberry of Mercyhurst and Martin Paquet of Sacred Heart were named the MAAC Co-Preseason Players of the Year, while Sacred Heart’s Eddy Ferhi picked up Preseason Goalie of the Year honors.
UConn will open its 2002-03 season against Ottawa in exhibition play on Sunday, October 6 at 3:00 pm at the UConn Ice Arena.
MAAC HOCKEY LEAGUE 2002-03 PRESEASON POLL
1. Mercyhurst (4) 109
2. Quinnipiac (5) 105
3. Sacred Heart (2) 101
4. Holy Cross 94
5. UConn 69
6. Canisius 68
7. Iona 55
8. Army 51
9. Fairfield 31
10. AIC 25
11. Bentley 18
