Oct. 9, 2007

VILLANOVA, Pa. - The Villanova field hockey team broke into the STX/NFHCA Division I Coaches Poll this week with a ranking of No. 20, marking the first national ranking for the Wildcats in this particular poll for the season. So far this year, Villanova has been steadily receiving votes, but had not cracked the top 20 until today when they received 54 votes. The Wildcats are also ranked as No. 19 for womensfieldhockey.com.

On the STX/NFHCA poll, the Wildcats are joined by three other BIG EAST teams, which includes Connecticut, Louisville, and Syracuse. Despite dropping a 2-1 decision to Princeton recently and dropping three spots, Connecticut remains the highest ranked BIG EAST team at No. 6. Last week the Cardinals of Louisville defeated Rutgers and No. 19 Virginia to jump up three spots to No. 14 in this week's poll, matching their highest ranking of the year. With a 1-1 record during last week's play, Syracuse bumps up two spots to No. 18, marking their second consecutive ranking this season.

Villanova currently sits at 9-3 overall and 2-1 in the BIG EAST. Along with their quest for a BIG EAST title, the Wildcats will look to climb the rankings for the remainder of the season and aim to knock off such national powerhouses as No. 14 Louisville and No. 2 Maryland.

Institution (Points-first place votes in parentheses)

1. North Carolina (14-0) 874 (38)

2. Maryland (14-0) 842 (6)

3. Wake Forest (7-4) 751

4. Iowa (11-2) 725

5. Michigan (9-4) 683

6. Connecticut (12-2) 678

7. Michigan State (11-4) 582

8. James Madison (11-2) 568

9. Penn State (9-4) 553

10. Old Dominion (8-5) 413

11. Duke (7-6) 401

12. Boston College (8-5) 345

13. Boston University (10-4) 313

14. Louisville (9-5) 284

15. Ohio (10-4) 274

16. American (10-3) 243

17. Albany (11-3) 226

18. Syracuse (11-3) 96

19. Virginia (7-6) 88

20. Villanova (9-3) 54