NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – The Christopher Newport University field hockey team is ranked 12th in the nation in the pre-season poll released today by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA). The team finished the 2009 season ranked 11th with a 15-4 record after advancing to the NCAA Sweet 16.

The Captains will face four teams ranked in the top 20, including a game in Maryland against top-ranked Salisbury University on September 8 at 6:00 pm. The Captains will take on #13 Lynchburg at home on September 18 at 2:00 pm.

Head Coach Carrie Moura is entering her eighth season with the Captains and is currently ranked 11th among active Division III coaches for win percentage with .732.

The Captains have advanced to the NCAA tournament for the last four seasons, advancing to the Elite 8 in 2006 and the Sweet 16 in 2007, 2008 and 2009. CNU is hosting the 2010 NCAA National Championship November 20-21.

2010 Kookaburra / NFHCA Division III Preseason Poll
1. Salisbury University
2. Messiah College
3. Ursinus College
4. Tufts University
5. SUNY Cortland
6. Lebanon Valley College
7. Trinity College (CT)
8. Middlebury College
9. Rowan University
10. Skidmore College
11. Bowdoin College
12. Christopher Newport University
13. Lynchburg College
14. Amherst College
15. Johns Hopkins University
16. Juniata College
17. The College of New Jersey
18. Stevens Institute of Technology
19. Eastern University
20. Gettysburg College