CLEVELAND - App State field hockey was picked to finish tied for fourth in the 2021 Mid-American Conference Preseason Poll Tuesday.
App State and Ohio each earned 24 votes apiece.
Miami (Ohio) is the preseason league favorite with 42 total votes as the Redhawks look to win their fourth consecutive conference crown. In 2019, No. 2 seed Miami defeated No. 1 seed Kent State 2-1 for its third-straight title.
The Mountaineers reached the MAC tournament semifinals in 2019 by defeating Ohio and Central Michigan before falling to eventual conference champion Miami, 2-0. It was App State's third straight appearance in the semifinals.
App State will look to lean on 2019 All-MAC First Team honorees Annette Jarosz (senior M/D) and Veerle Van Heertum (senior midfielder) this spring season. Heertum led the team in 2019 with seven goals scored and 18 total points.
Friederike Stegen, senior midfielder and 2019 All-MAC Second Team member, will also be a pivotal piece in the Mountaineers' quest for a conference championship in 2021.
2021 MAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll:
1. Miami (Ohio) - 42
2. Kent State - 41
3. Longwood - 32
T-4. Ohio - 24
App State - 24
6. Ball State - 23
7. Central Michigan - 10
