University of Connecticut Athletics
FH Preseason Favorite in BIG EAST, Four All-Conference
2/4/2021 2:00:00 PM | Field Hockey
STORRS, Conn. - The UConn field hockey team has been voted the preseason BIG EAST favorites for the 2021 spring season, as picked by the league's coaches.Â
The Huskies have won seven-straight regular season and eight-straight tournament titles in the BIG EAST and led the conference with four players selected to the preseason All-Conference team.
Seniors Kourtney Kennedy and Jessica Dembrowski, redshirt junior goaltender Cheyenne Sprecher and sophomore midfielder Sophie Hamilton all garnered recognition.
Sprecher was also tabbed preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year after earning Co-Defensive Player of the Year at the end of the 2019 season. Sprecher ranked No. 1 in the country with a .842 save percentage and .790 goals against average.Â
Hamilton burst onto the scene in her freshman campaign, producing nine goals, 14 assists and 32 points for the Huskies. She received Third Team All-America honors and was one of only two freshman to land on the All-BIG EAST First Team.
Dembrowski has played in every game since stepping foot on campus (69 games) and will take on an even bigger leadership role in her senior season. The UConn midfielder has totaled 20 goals and 11 assists in her career.
Kennedy also brings tons of experience and will be the leader in the back aiding goalie Sprecher. In 2019, Kennedy helped the Huskies post 13 shutouts.Â
The Huskies are currently scheduled to play16 games with 12 BIG EAST contests.Â
UConn opens the season against Hofstra on Sunday, February 14 at 1 p.m. at the George Sherman Family Sports Complex.Â
Preseason Field Hockey Coaches' Poll
First-place votes in ( )
Connecticut (5)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 35
Liberty (1)                   32
Old Dominion              24
Providence                  21
Temple                        16
Quinnipiac                  10
Villanova                       9
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Jill Bolton, Liberty, Sr., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Cheyenne Sprecher, Connecticut, Jr., GK
Preseason All-BIG EAST
Cheyenne Sprecher, Connecticut, Jr., GK
Kourtney Kennedy, Connecticut, Sr., B
Marlee McClendon, Old Dominion, R-Sr., B
Dani Batz, Temple, Sr., B ^ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
Maddie Babineau, Providence, Sr., M ^
Sophie Hamilton, Connecticut, So., M ^
Jess Dembrowski, Connecticut, Sr., M
Riley Taylor, Old Dominion, Jr., F/M
Jill Bolton, Liberty, Sr., F ^
Daniella Rhodes, Liberty, So., F ^
Charlotte Vaanhold, Liberty, Jr., F
^ denotes unanimous selection
