Field Hockey Named Unanimous Preseason Favorite in BIG EAST Coaches Poll
Seniors Rebecca Helwig and Laura Puddle named Co-BIG EAST Offensive Players of the Year

STORRS, Conn. (August 3, 2005) - The University of Connecticut field hockey team has been selected as the unanimous favorite to win the BIG EAST Conference according to a preseason poll of the league’s coaches released today.

The Huskies, who captured both the BIG EAST Regular Season and Tournament crowns last season, also headlined the individual preseason honorees as seniors Rebecca Helwig (Basking Ridge, N.J.) and Laura Puddle (London, England) were slated as the BIG EAST Co-Offensive Players of the Year.

Joining Helwig and Puddle on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Field Hockey Team was senior goalkeeper Melissa Bostwick (San Diego, Calif.).

Helwig, a second All-America choice as a junior, finished last season with nine goals, four assists and a team-high four defensive saves en route to earning All-BIG EAST and All-Mideast First Team honors.

Puddle is expected to anchor the Huskies’ offensive attack along with Helwig in 2005 following a junior campaign that saw her post 14 goals and a team-best 16 assists. Puddle was recognized with All-BIG EAST First Team status and was named to the All-Mideast Region squad last season.

Bostwick earns preseason honors after a breakthrough junior season which saw her lead the nation in both save percentage (.838) and goal percentage (.576). In addition, Bostwick posted a BIG EAST-best 12 shutouts and did not allow a single goal over the final five games of the regular season.

The Huskies have won or shared each of the last three BIG EAST Regular Season titles and have captured the conference tournament crown in five of the last seven seasons.

UConn opens the 2005 regular season on Friday, August 26 when it hosts Albany at the George J. Sherman Family Sports Complex beginning at 7:00 p.m. (ET).