Oct. 28, 2011

Official Release

CENTERVILLE, Mass. - The ECAC East executive office has announced the 2011-12 women's ice hockey preseason poll.  On this year's poll the University of Massachusetts Boston was picked to finish sixth after earning a combined 87 points.  Women's hockey will begin their new season this afternoon at 4 p.m. at Buffalo State College.

Earning the number-one seed on the polls was Norwich University who earned 10 of the possible 12 first place votes and 141 points.  In second was Manhattanville College with one first place vote and 128 points.  Holy Cross picked-up the final first place vote as well as 124 points to earn the number three-spot. 

In fourth was Saint Anselm (111 pts.), followed by New England College (90 pts.) in fifth.  Salve Regina was in seventh (67 pts.), Southern Maine in eighth (61 pts.), Saint Michael's in ninth (37 pts.), Castleton in 10^th (36 pts.), Nichols in 11^th (34 pts.), and finally Plymouth State in 12^th (12 pts.).

For the Beacons, and second-year head coach Colleen Harris, this year's edition of the women's ice hockey program will feature a total of 17 new faces.  Amongst the returners from last year's squad, will be junior forward Alli Greenberg (Stoughton, Mass.).  Last season, Greenberg netted seven goals, while also picking-up five assists, in the Beacons run to the ECAC East Tournament semi-finals. 

Between the pipes, UMass welcomes back veteran netminders Leah Hallett (Rocky Hill, Conn.) and Jami Cudmore (Balgonie, Saskatchewan).  Last winter, Hallet played over 1,174 and finished the year with 618 saves (.927 save percentage) and a 10-9-1 record.  For Cudmore, she tremendous potential as she finished the season with a 4-2 record and .898 save percentage.

Women's Hockey will make their 2011 home debut next Friday when they host Manhattanville College at 4 p.m. as part of the Beacon Tailgate Party.