ANNVILLE, Pa. (Field Hockey) – The Messiah Falcons were selected as the favorite in the 2022 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth (MAC Commonwealth) field hockey coaches. The Falcons collected first-place votes from all eight opposing coaches for a total of 64 points.
Below is the complete 2022 MAC Commonwealth Field Hockey Coaches’ Preseason Poll.
2022 MAC Commonwealth Field Hockey Coaches’ Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team |
Points |
(1st Place Votes) |
| 1 |
Messiah |
64 |
(8) |
| 2 |
York |
54 |
|
| 3 |
Widener |
51 |
|
| 4 |
Lebanon Valley |
39 |
|
| 5 |
Alvernia |
38 |
|
| 6 |
Stevenson |
28 |
|
| 7 |
Albright |
23 |
|
| 8 |
Eastern |
17 |
|
| 9 |
Hood |
10 |
|
In 2021, the Falcons claimed their 19th MAC Commonwealth title 7-3 over Widener. Messiah’s Makayla Malcom was named the MAC Commonwealth Most Valuable Player (MVP) after scoring two goals in the title game.
Messiah’s season came to a close in the NCAA second round after falling to Babson 6-1. The Falcons with a 17-3 record and ranked No. 8 nationally.
The Falcons received two National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) All-Region selections, including returning seniors, midfielder Ashlyn Smith and defender Nicole Shank.
The NFHCA will announce the 2022 preseason coaches poll on August 30, 2022.
The 2022 season is set to begin on Thursday, September 1. Conference play will begin on Saturday, September 17 with an eight-game seven-week schedule.
The 2022 MAC Commonwealth Field Hockey Championship is set for October 31 to November 5. The top-five seeds will battle for the conference title and the NCAA Division III Championship automatic qualifier (AQ).