1999 STX/NFHCA Division III Poll
SELINSGROVE, (Pa.) – The Susquehanna University field hockey team is ranked eighth in the latest STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division III national poll, receiving 295 points and one first-place vote from NFHCA member coaches. Under 25th-year head coach Connie Harnum, the Crusaders are off to a 5-0 start and believed to be ranked in the national poll for the first time in school history.
Susquehanna got the attention of voters with a 2-1 win Saturday at seventh-ranked William Smith – a program which won the 1997 national championship and made the semifinals last season. The Crusaders followed that by not allowing their opponent a shot on goal in a dominating 3-0 victory over St. Lawrence Sunday in the William Smith Invitational.
"I thought beating William Smith would change some of the minds of the voters, but I didn't expect this. It's (being ranked) really exciting for our kids, and it's not a fluke thing. We've been playing that well all season and we hope to continue it," said Harnum.
Freshman inner Leah Bailor (Richfield/Middleburg H.S.) is the MAC Commonwealth Conference Field Hockey Player of the Week and has led a team offensively which starts just two seniors and five freshmen. A 1998 Pennsylvania All-State selection as a high school senior, Bailor leads both the team and the Commonwealth Conference in goals with six (1.20 per game), assists with four (0.80 per game), and points with 16 (3.20 per game). She has scored in all five games this season. Freshman wing Katie McKeever (Worcester/ Methacton H.S.) is second on the team and fifth in the Commonwealth Conference in scoring with four goals for eight points (1.60 ppg).
The seniors lead the defense in tri-captain Amanda Reigle (Middleburg/Middleburg H.S.) – a four-year starter – and Taryn Moser (Lewistown/Lewistown H.S.). Sophomore Kylie Cook (Huntingdon/Huntingdon H.S.) has been the starting goalkeeper and compiled a 0.67 goals-against average and .833 save percentage. When Cook couldn't go to last weekend's tournament because of a death in the family, freshman Katie Hess (Darnstown, Md./ Connelly School of the Holy Child) stepped in to record a 0.51 goals-against average and .929 save percentage in the two games. The Susquehanna defense has a team 0.60 goals-against mark.
The Crusaders have won their first five games and will try and tie their school record for longest win streak (6 games, 1993) in their next game at King's (4-2), Thursday at 4 p.m.
1999 STX/NFHCA Division III Poll
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