UVM FIELD HOCKEY NOTEBOOK
The Vermont field hockey team kicks off the 2016 season with a pair of home games at Moulton Winder Field this weekend in Burlington. UVM plays host to Central Michigan of the Mid-American Conference on Friday (Aug. 26) at 1 p.m., then wraps up the weekend with a noon contest against La Salle on Sunday (Aug. 28).
 
The two-game span will mark Central Michigan's first trip to Burlington in field hockey, while La Salle, an Atlantic 10 member, visits UVM for the first time since 2003. Live video of both contests will be streamed for free in high definition via AmericaEast.TV.

RELATED LINKS
Live Video: Central Michigan | La Salle

AMERICA EAST ANNOUNCES PRESEASON POLL
After being crowned America East Champions a year ago, Albany has been picked to finish first in the East Division. Slotted fourth in the division, UVM was projected to reach the America East Tournament for the second consecutive year. With three first-place votes, Stanford was picked to end the regular season at the top of the West Division.
 
ABOUT VERMONT
After returning to the America East Tournament last season for the first time since 2007, the Catamounts begin their third season under head coach Kate Pfeifer and return 13 players from the 2015 squad. The returnees include offensive catalysts Lauren Tucker and Anne-Marie Farmer, while Lena Benwood returns at the goalkeeper position along with Emily Snowden.
 
UVM continued to make strides on the pitch last year, ultimately seeing three players named to the America East All-Conference Team and two All-Rookie Team honorees.
 
The Catamounts bring aboard four newcomers for 2016, adding Ally McCall (Watertown, Massachusetts), Rachel Phillips (Asbury, New Jersey), Isabella Sericolo (Altamont, New York) and Rebekah Silver (Ridgefield, Connecticut) to the roster.
 
SCOUTING CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Picked to finish sixth in the Mid-American Conference, Central Michigan begins the 2016 season Friday at Vermont. The Chippewas return nine players who notched at least one start last season, which saw the squad earn two conference wins. Among the returnees are senior Maude Stalars, who ranked second on the team in goals in 2015.
 
CMU adds seven freshmen to the squad for 2016, the team's second under head coach Molly Pelowski. The incoming class includes two international players.
 
The Chippewas hold a 2-0-0 lead in the all-time series, with the last meeting coming in 2009 when Vermont fell to CMU in a closely-contested 3-2 match.
 
SCOUTING LA SALLE
La Salle is coming off of a 2015 campaign in which the Explorers finished 9-9-0, including a 3-5 mark in conference action.
 
Projected to finish eighth in the Atlantic 10, junior goalkeeper Racheal Hartman was named to the A-10 Preseason All-Conference Team. The Oley, Pennsylvania native started all 18 games last year and finished second in the conference in saves (105) as well as saves per game (5.83).
 
The Explorers boast a class of seven freshmen, including five players from Pennsylvania and two from Maryland. The team is embarking upon its eighth season under the direction of Michelle Marks Salmi, who earned Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors in 2011.
 
The teams last met in September of 2003, as the Catamounts fell by a score of 3-1. The Explorers lead the all-time series, 3-2-0.

WHO'S NEXT
After Sunday's matchup with La Salle, the Catamounts will prepare for their first road trip of the season. UVM travels to face Providence College on Friday, Sept. 2 at 6 p.m. and returns to Moulton Winder Field on Sunday, Sept. 4 for a 1 p.m. meeting with Northeastern.
 
TRACK THE #VCATS
Fans can stay up to date on the latest news and notes around the Catamounts through a variety of platforms:
Twitter – Follow @UVMfieldhky and use the hashtag #VCats when tweeting about the Catamounts
Instagram – Follow us at Instagram.com/UVMathletics
Facebook – Like us at Facebook.com/UVMathletics
YouTube – Watch game highlights and other features at YouTube.com/UVMathletics