Empire 8 coaches picked Hartwick to finish second in the conference in the preseason field hockey poll.

Utica College was picked as the favorite. Hartwick, winners of the past two and three of the last four league titles, went 4-0 in the Empire 8 last year, including a 3-1 victory over Utica.

Hartwick returns some key players from last season, including senior goalie Ashley King and senior midfielder Molly Joyce.

The Empire 8 has added two affiliate members this year, Stevens Institute of Technology and Washington & Jefferson.

EMPIRE 8 FIELD HOCKEY

PRESEASON COACHES POLL

Team Points

1[an error occurred while processing this directive], Utica 36

2, Hartwick 30

3, Ithaca 25

4, Stevens Institute of Technology 22

5, Elmira 13

6, Washington & Jefferson 11

7, Nazareth 10