PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Worcester State University field hockey team was named the favorite win the Little East Conference (LEC) title in 2021 after totaling 138 points and picking up eight first-place votes in the 2021 LEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
 
The Lancers are the defending LEC champion, having claimed their first-ever LEC tournament title in 2019. Worcester State’s 2019 squad finished 18-5 overall, claimed a share of the LEC regular season title for the second time in program history, and made its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance.
 
Keene State College was picked second in the 2021 LEC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The Owls posted a 3-1 record in limited action during the Spring 2021 semester after going 16-7 overall and also sharing the LEC regular season title in 2019. Keene State will seek its LEC-record 15th conference title this year after falling to the Lancers in the 2019 title match, which ended a run of six consecutive LEC tournament championships for the Owls.
 
The complete preseason coaches’ poll ranking is as follows:
 
2021 LEC Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll (FPV)
1. Worcester State - 138 points (8)
2. Keene State - 125 points (2)
3. Western Connecticut - 102 points (3)
4. Southern Maine - 98 points
5. Castleton - 95 points
6. Plymouth State - 84 points
7. Salem State - 74 points
8. Eastern Connecticut - 73 points
9. Westfield State - 44 points
10. Bridgewater State - 41 points
11. UMass Dartmouth - 37 points
12. Framingham State - 26 points
13. Fitchburg State - 25 points
 
NOTE: Coaches are not permitted to vote for their own program.