SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Susquehanna University field hockey team has been picked to finish fourth in the Commonwealth Conference during the upcoming season, according to the league's eight head coaches.

The Crusaders finished in a three-way tie for third in the conference last season with a 4-3 league record, but were edged out for a playoff spot via tiebreaker. Susquehanna compiled a 10-7 overall record under head coach Amy Zimmerman , who welcomes back eight starters and 18 letterwinners from the 2003 team.

A pair of second-team All-Commonwealth Conference selections return in 2004 in attacker Caitlin Meara and back Shelley Reppert , along with attack Katie McCarthy, who tied for second on the team with six goals in 2003, and goalkeeper Shannon Baker , who compiled a 1.28 goals against average and six shutouts as a freshman.

Three-time defending playoff champion Messiah received seven of eight first-place votes to earn the top spot in the poll, with the Crusaders earning the other first-place vote. Following the Falcons in the poll are Lebanon Valley, Juniata, Susquehanna, Widener, Elizabethtown, Albright and Moravian.

The top four teams in the standings will compete in the conference playoffs for the league title and an automatic berth in the NCAA Division III Field Hockey tournament.

The Crusaders open the 2004 season on Thursday, September 2 at Wilkes, kick off home action on the new Sassafras Fields on Saturday, September 11 against Immaculata, and begin their Commonwealth Conference schedule on Thursday, September 16 against visiting Lebanon Valley.