Marian University field hockey has been picked fourth in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) preseason poll, as voted on by the head coaches of the league.

Rhodes was picked as the league favorite edging Centre by just one point 15-14 for the top spot. The Lynx took three of the five first-place votes, while the Colonels took the other two. Concordia Wisconsin was third in the poll at nine points besting Marian by just one points. Sewanee rounded out the poll receiving four points.

Marian looks to build off of an inaugural season that saw the Sabres go 7-8 with a 2-3 SAA ledger. The Sabres qualified as the No. 3 seed for the SAA Tournament and were eliminated by Centre in a tight 4-3 game. Marian returns all four student-athletes who earned All-SAA recognition last season including sophomore Allyson Nichols who was named SAA Newcomer of the Year and First Team All-SAA. Outside of the conference, Nichols earned Second Team All-Region recognition from the NFHCA.

Evan Drauschak takes over the Marian University field hockey program after spending last season with Frostburg State University, an NCAA Division II institution. His full introductory press release can be found at https://sabreathletics.com/news/2023/4/13/drauschak-to-take-over-marian-field-hockey-program.aspx.

Marian opens the season taking on Oberlin Saturday, Sept. 2 at 1 p.m. (CDT) from Earlham College in Richmond, Ind. The Sabres will then take on Earlham the next day, Sunday, Sept. 3, a 10 a.m. (CDT).

2023 SAA Field Hockey Preseason Poll
1. Rhodes – 15pts (3)
2. Centre – 14 pts (2)
3. Concordia – 9 pts
4. Marian – 8 pts
5. Sewanee – 4 pts