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University Park, Pa. — The Penn State field hockey team enters the 2010 season ranked 18th in the preseason Kookaburra/NFHCA Coaches Poll, as announced on Tuesday (Aug. 24). The Nittany Lions are one of five Big Ten teams in the top 20.
In total, the Lions will face five of the top 10 teams in the nation and nine of the top 20: Virginia (3), Princeton (4), Connecticut (5), Michigan State (7), Duke (10), Ohio State (14), Old Dominion (16), Indiana (17) and Iowa (19). Six of those games come at home with only Connecticut, Michigan State and Ohio State on the road.
Four other 2010 opponents - Northwestern, Michigan, Lafayette and Lock Haven - are also among others receiving votes.
An up-and-down 2009 season ended with a strong effort at the Big Ten Tournament where the Nittany Lions upset Ohio State before hanging tough with Indiana in the semifinals. The squad finished 20th in the final RPI.
Penn State opens the season Friday (Aug. 27) when it hosts No. 16 Old Dominion at 5 p.m. at the Penn State Field Hockey Complex. The Lions then look to beat their highest-ranked opponent since the 2007 National Semifinals when they face No. 3 Virginia on Sunday at noon.