ANNVILLE, Pa. (August 25, 2021)  – The MAC Freedom released its Preseason Poll Wednesday and the Stevens Institute of Technology field hockey team was picked third, the league office announced. The vote was conducted among the league's eight head coaches. 

Stevens totaled 34 points to slot in behind preseason favorite FDU-Florham (46) and DeSales University (44), who split the eight first-place votes. Misericordia University (30) and Arcadia University (28) rounded out the top five. Arcadia moved to the MAC Freedom from the MAC Commonwealth in 2020 following a conference-wide realignment when York College of Pennsylvania became a league member. FDU-Florham enters the 2021 campaign as two-time defending league champions.

The Ducks went 11-8 in 2019, advancing to the postseason for the third time under head coach Meredith Spencer-Blaetz. Counted among the team's 11 wins were eight one-goal victories, including a thrilling 3-2 victory over FDU-Florham on penalty strokes to close out the regular season that improved the program's all-time record in games decided by penalties to 3-0.

Stevens begins the 2021 campaign on Sept. 1 at William Paterson University for the 17th meeting between the programs. The Ducks are 11-5 all-time against the Pioneers and have won each of the last 10 meetings. MAC Freedom play is set to begin on Sept. 25 at King's (Pa.) College.

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