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All the news for Friday 24 August 2018

2018 Asian Games - Day 5
Jakarta (INA)

Women's results for 23 August

Pool B     14:00     KAZ - INA     1 - 2
Pool A     16:00     HKG - TPE     2 - 3
Pool A     18:00     MAS - CHN     2 - 2
Pool B     20:00     THA - KOR     0 - 3

Pool standings

Pool A

	Played	Won	Draw	Lost	GD	Points
Japan	2	2	0	0	17	6
China	2	1	1	0	-9	4
Malaysia	2	1	1	0	8	4
Chinese Taipei	3	1	0	2	-19	3
Hong Kong China	3	0	0	3	-15	0

Pool B

	Played	Won	Draw	Lost	GD	Points
India	2	2	0	0	29	6
Korea	2	2	0	0	8	6
Indonesia	3	1	0	2	-12	3
Kazakhstan	3	1	0	2	-20	3
Thailand	2	0	0	2	-5	0

Asian Hockey Federation

Malaysia as solid as Great Wall of China

By Jugjet Singh


Although it was draw, Malaysia played the right tactical game to deny World No. 11 China from posting a win at the GBK Stadium in Jakarta yesterday. Photo credit: NSTP/Fathil Asri

KUALA LUMPUR: Though it was a draw, Malaysia played the right tactical game to deny World No 11 China from posting a win at the GBK Stadium in Jakarta yesterday.

In proving that Malaysia were as solid as the Great Wall of China, the draw was a fair result given that both teams displayed a high level of good hockey.

Still the Malaysians were not wrong to feel that it was two points wasted than one earned .

“This is the first time we have taken a point off China in any senior competition and naturally I am proud of my players.” said Malaysia coach K. Dharmaraj.

“When we were leading 2-1, I told the players to prevent our opponents from pumping the ball into the semicircle . But we conceded the equaliser from such a situation.

“The players will get a tremendous boost with this result and hopefully we can maintain our performance.”

For China, the draw, although a bitter pill to swallow, was described as a fair result by their coach Jamilon Mulders.

“Credit to Malaysia as they played well. The standard of the game in China has been declining over the years and this was reflected in the match today,” said the German who has been with the squad since last September.

The two teams were well aware that a win would put them in the driver’s seat for the semifinal spot.

With the stakes so high, it was expected that the two teams started off rather cautiously.

In the opening five minutes, Malaysia made their intentions clear – they would defend and opt for quick counter attacks.

Thus the onus was on China and they seized the initiative to try to prise open the tight Malaysian defence.

The Chinese players opted to do the transfer of play often, in order to find a chink in the defensive wall.

But all they got were shots being pumped into the semi circle, hoping for a foot or a stick.

Liang Mei Yu put China ahead in the 10th minute, giving Malaysian keeper Farah Ayuni no chance.

Although Malaysia tried to get back into the match, the gap between the midfield and forwards showed as the Chinese defenders were always one step ahead of them in cutting off the long balls out of defence.

Farah Ayuni pulled off several vital saves, especially from the five penalty corners China were awarded to keep the scoreline to a single goal at halftime.

Malaysia finally capitalised on their counter attack strategy with Hani’s Nadia Onn picking up a cross from the right to slot the ball home in the 33rd minute for the equaliser.

China were stunned but lacked the finesse needed to unlock a stubborn Malaysian defence.

And the Malaysia struck again, with Hanis Nadia scoring yet again in the 44th minute to give Malaysia a 2-1 lead.

China pressed hard for the equaliser and it duly came in the 49th minute through Gu Bin Feng.

Malaysia earned three consecutive penalty corners in the 51st minute but failed to convert.

New Straits Times

Walsh: Multiple 'peaks' in a year not possible

s2h Team



Every four years, Asian hockey teams have to confront at least three major tournaments in a year each one having its own high stakes. With World Cup, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year most Asian teams are expected to do well in all the three, besides there is Champions Trophy or Asian Champions Trophy if qualified.

"Having so many teams in a calender year is too much. A player or team cannot peak multiple times. How many times do a team show peak performance? One, two, three? Not possible beyond one, at best two if ther is good gap." Terry Walsh, High Performance Director of Malaysian hockey, said speaking exclusively to www.stick2hockey.com

What is the way out?

"Organizers need to understand this. National Federations should understand this while analysing the teams. Nations must prioritize their targets differently, not the way they now do it".

Terry Walsh, himself an established star, has vast knowledge of hockey beyond Australia. He has worked in different capcities in the States, Netherlands, India and Malaysia before coming back to Malaysia again four years ago. He was Malaysia's first foreign coach, India's first Anglo-Indian coach.

During his coaching tenure, India won the Asian Games at Incheon four years ago.

Speaking on the Indian glory at Incheon, the veteran, who is here in Jakarta, said that the Asian Games was targetted, Commonwealth Games was used as a trial.

"Our target then was soley Asian Games. Its good we reached the finals also there. I feel that affected us in the Asian Games. India-Pakistan match was stretched one, had to be decided by shoot out".

"It could have gone either way. Its good it went our way"

Stick2Hockey.com

Penalty Corner drill was a routine work for Ali brothers of Hong Kong

By B.G.Joshi (Sehore-Bhopal, India)

Hong Kong are in the top six in Asia in terms of appearances in the Asian Games. India, Pakistan, Malaysia and Japan have played in all editions of Asian Games. Korea did not send their team in 1970, 1974, 1978 Asian Games. Hong Kong has made its twelfth appearance in Jakarta.

In Bangkok (1978) Hong Kong finished fifth in final standings.

In 56 matches at the Asian Games the biggest win from Hong Kong is 4-2 triumph against Oman in 1982 New Delhi.

India forced to them for their worst defeat (0-26) in Jakarta.

Sardar Savinder Dillon- President of Hong Kong Hockey association rightly pointed out that match classic men versus boys scenario.

Expatriates of Indian and Pakistani origin could not be selected in the team due to technical reasons.

Four Ali Brothers have played from Hong Kong in Asian tournaments –it is a record in Asian Hockey.

During Asia Cup (Chennai-2007) I spoke to Arif Ali.  My record books have the following text on the Ali brothers of Hong Kong:

Four brothers of Hong Kong: Asghar Ali-Centre forward, Akbar Ali-Full back, Asif Ali-Right Innner and Arif Ali-Centre half: all 4 brothers played in Asia Cup and Asian Games for Hong Kong. Akbar and Arif played 3 Asia Cup (1999, 2003, 07). They live in Shelley Street, Hong Kong.

Their father belongs to Godhra-a hockey nursery of Pakistan.  

Penalty Corner drill was a routine work for Akbar (pusher), Asghar (stopper) and Arif or Asif (hitter).

Their mother tongue is Cantonese (a variant of Mandarin).

Fieldhockey.com

Hockey Series Open - Vilnius 2018 (Women) - Day 3
Vilnius (LTU)

Result 23 August

LTU v CZE (RR)     2 - 4

Pool Standings

FIH Match Centre

Scotland U21 men travel to Walcz for Poland test series



Scotland U21 men will play Poland U21 men this weekend in a two-match test series at the Polish Olympic Centre at Walcz.

The first test match will be played on Saturday 25th August at 17:00 before the two sides meet again the following day, also at 17:00.

With five U21 players selected for the Scotland Senior Men’s team for Hockey Series Open in Lousada, plus some injuries, the staff has called up seven U18 players following their successful European promotion earlier this summer.

Poland were promoted and also defeated Scotland in U21 EuroHockey Championship II in St Petersburg last summer, so the Scots are looking forward to two tough test matches. It’s exciting for such a young team with high potential compete in these matches, and it is a contest the players will learn a lot from throughout the series.

Squad
Douglas Gourlay
Henry Emmett
James Nairn
Ali Richmond
Andrew McAllister
Sam Weissen
Joe McConnell
Duncan Gladwin
Patrick Christie
Ben Pearson
Alex Batstone
David Nairn
Hamish Roberts
Jack Jamieson
Andrew McConnell
Kyle Gladwin
Owen Jenkins Garcia
Fraser Heigh

Schedule

25th August – 14:00 Test Match v Poland U21
26th August – 14:00 Test Match v Poland U21

Scottish Hockey Union media release

Que comencin els jocs! (Let the games begin!)



Voice of the EHL Nick Irvine (with additional words from Freddie Mercury) looks back on the history of the Pau Negre and its intertwined history with the world's best club hockey competition.

2003 - It was the first time that we met - when I arrived at the Pau Negre Stadium in the Olympic quarter of Barcelona as the EHF Media officer for the EuroHockey Championships. It was a stunning event, brilliantly hosted by the Spanish federation and showcased the City in all its splendour.

I remember that the Dutch team had a very special visitor in the shape of the legendary number 14 - Johan Cruyff - who lived and died in Barcelona. What a hockey player he would have been!

There is a lustre about Olympic cities that often remains attached for years after the five-ring circus has left and which continues to shine long after the sawdust and glitter have been swept away. So it is with Barcelona and the Pau Negre stadium which will once again host the EuroHockey League when the 2018/19 season gets underway (5 - 7 October).

It will be the sixth time that the stadium has played host to a round of the EHL and it has become an avenue that is synonymous with the ever-popular event through the generous and long-standing support from the City of Barcelona to whom we must say a fulsome ‘Gracies’.

Not that the Pau Negre stadium was the home of hockey during the 1992 Olympics - that event was staged in the City of Terrassa but, like the Lee Valley Stadium in London, it is close enough to the Olympic epicentre to take on the Olympic patina anyway!

I am sure that all 12 participating teams in ROUND1 will be overjoyed to be in such an iconic part of the lively city with its bustling streets, ‘la musica vibro’ and it’s Miro and Gaudi inspired art and architecture.

Barcelona - a jewel in the sun - has witnessed many great hockey duals over the years and with just four places for the KO16 Easter bonanza at stake, there is the guarantee of plenty to come this time around.

For me, it’s an emotional return having missed round one last year - the first time I have missed an EHL game in its 11-year history. I suffered a stroke in late September (no video referral allowed!) and although I have got away lightly and continue to make good progress it was too soon to take up the microphone duties and I turned to Simon Mason to hold the fort - a task that he carried out very well. This year, I trust will be different!

Over the years, we have seen some great matches in the EHL. Back in 2012/13, when there were two ROUND1 venues with two teams per pool going through and no byes, we saw two stand-out games between four sides who eventually qualified.

Amsterdam 4 Beeston 5 was a corker of a game but both teams were always likely to go through. In the same year, though, it finished Uhlenhorst Mulheim 3 Club de Campo 4 in a game the Madrid side had to win to eliminate Dinamo Kazan.

We were back in 2013 when ROUND1 duties were shared with Lille. It was a year of few surprises but we did see the eventual finalists (Oranje Zwart and Harvestehuder) in action, topping their respective groups on the way to the KO 16.

By the time 2014 came around we were just looking at a single ROUND1 venue with only the four group winners progressing.

Most of the drama here came in Pool D when it all distilled down to how many goals Atletic Terrassa could put past Bromac Kelburne to take top spot and deny SV Arminen. The Atletic boys were just short in the final analysis and it was a very relieved Austrian team and their Polish coach Dariusz Rachwalski who took the qualification spot.

And there was no shortage of drama last year either although it didn’t go quite so well for Arminen who suffered two heavy reverses, shipping 24 goals in just two games although this was skewed by the short-lived field goals count double experiment that has now been shelved.

The key game last year was Club Egara, needing only a draw against Saint Germain to progress. A tense game saw Egara draw level at 4 all with just 5 minutes remaining only to concede a two ‘point’ penalty stroke to the French team which Hugo Genestet expertly converted to send Egara away disappointed.

And who can forget the FINAL4 in 2016 when the Dutch giants of Amsterdam and Kampong joined with Harvestehuder and Atletic Terrassa to decide the title? Kampong were at their very dazzling best and put the Atleti boys to the sword by 5-1 before getting the better of Amsterdam by 2-0 in a high-quality final.

So this venue hasn’t always been kind to Spanish teams and now another, Junior FC, must try their luck in their debut season. This is another famous Catalan club who can boast Leandro Negre (son of Pau Negre and a founding father of the EHL) and Adrian Lock (coach to the Spanish ladies who took bronze in the recent World Cup in London).

I am hoping that Adrian will be able to join me in the commentary box for one of the Junior games. I will have to remind my former pupil that he doesn’t have to call me ‘Sir’ anymore!

So lots to look forward to - on and off the field – it is almost time to start the celebration, to come alive and Cry “Viva Barcelona, Viva Hockey - friends to the end!

And you can be a part of the celebrations in the Barcelona sunshine by getting your tickets booked and getting your transport organised.

The City has so much to offer and even after a day at the hockey, there is plenty of quality time yet to hit the tapas and cava bars. Late nights are definitely the way to go in Barcelona!

** To be part of another memorable chapter in the Euro Hockey League, book your place at ROUND1, picking up tickets at www.ehlhockey.tv/tickets

Euro Hockey League media release

Non-Stop Action As AHL Start Times Confirmed

Ben Somerford



Hockey fans are the big winners following today’s confirmation of the official 2018 Australian Hockey League (AHL) round fixture start times which promises non-stop action around the country.

The 2018 AHL, which last year was played as a 10-day centralised tournament, will run across three rounds played in each state or territory around the nation plus finals from 6-28 October.

The revised format offers supporters nation-wide the opportunity to view their team in action in their home state.

All round fixtures will involve back-to-back women’s and men’s matches, with start times separated by no more than two hours, ensuring non-stop entertainment for fans, with minimal time between games.

Hockey Australia CEO Matt Favier said: “The 2018 AHL represents an exciting opportunity for Hockey supporters nation-wide to get out and support their state following the move away from a centralised carnival format.

“Playing the women’s and men’s matches practically back-to-back offers great value and non-stop entertainment for fans in each city.

“The 2018 AHL is also an exciting stepping stone towards our revamped 2019 national competition and we expect this year’s competition to be a sample of the big things to come.”

This year’s AHL will commence with a State of Origin clash between New South Wales and Queensland in Sydney on Saturday 6 October, with the women’s sides meeting at 2pm (local time), followed by the men’s encounter at 4pm (local time).

All states will host at least one round fixture before the round robin stage concludes on Sunday 21 October with Victoria hosting South Australia in Melbourne (2pm women’s, 3:45pm men’s (local times)) ahead of the finals.

The centralised location for the finals from 25-28 October will be announced soon along with finals start times.

Ticketing arrangements are individual per states, with links to pre-purchase in the below fixture list.

2018 AHL Round Fixtures *all times local

Round 1

NSW v Queensland – Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney - Saturday 6 October, 2pm (W), 4pm (M)
BUY TICKETS HERE

Tasmania v ACT – Tasmanian Hockey Centre, Hobart - Saturday 6 October, 5:30pm (W), 7:15pm (M)
BUY TICKETS HERE

South Australia v Western Australia – State Hockey Centre, Adelaide - Sunday 7 October, 2pm (W), 3:45pm (M)
Tickets TBC

Northern Territory v Victoria – Marrara Hockey Centre, Darwin - Sunday 7 October, 5pm (W), 6:45pm (M)
Walk-up sales                                                                      

Round 2

Victoria v Western Australia – State Netball & Hockey Centre, Melbourne - Saturday 13 October, 2pm (M), 3:45pm (W)
BUY TICKETS HERE

South Australia v Northern Territory – State Hockey Centre, Adelaide - Saturday 13 October, 5pm (W), 6:45pm (M)
Tickets TBC

Tasmania v New South Wales – Tasmanian Hockey Centre, Hobart - Sunday 14 October, 1pm (W), 2:45pm (M)
BUY TICKETS HERE

ACT v Queensland – National Hockey Centre, Canberra - Sunday 14 October, 1pm (W), 3pm (M)
Tickets TBC

Round 3

ACT v New South Wales - National Hockey Centre, Canberra - Saturday 20 October, 2pm (W) 4pm (M)
Tickets TBC

Western Australia v Northern Territory – Perth Hockey Stadium, Perth - Saturday 20 October, 4pm (W), 6pm (M)
Walk-up sales

Queensland v Tasmania – State Hockey Centre, Brisbane - Saturday 20 October, 6pm (W), 8pm (M)
BUY TICKETS HERE

Victoria v South Australia – State Netball & Hockey Centre, Melbourne - Sunday 21 October, 2pm (W), 3:45pm (M)
BUY TICKETS HERE

Finals – 25-28 October, start times TBC

Hockey Australia media release

Beeston Hockey Club to televise all domestic home matches

By The Hockey Paper


Beeston Ladies will be televised online for the 2018/19 season (PIC: David Kissman)

Beeston HC have announced that it will televise all men’s and women’s home games for the upcoming season.

Beeston will be the first UK club to screen live coverage – free of charge – throughout the season when it starts its commitment next month.

“In all my years of involvement in our sport, alongside our twinning with HC Rotterdam in 2017, I have never been so proud of an announcement by our club,” said David Griffiths, Beeston’s chairman.

“We want to model our televised coverage on that of the Euro Hockey League, which is undoubtedly the best hockey competition in the world.

“I would love nothing more that the other English clubs to get on board with this, and commit to moving the domestic game forward”.

The broadcast package will be available on AppleTV and, down the line, on Amazon Fire, while all home gmes will also be streamed online.

The club has been broadcasting matches for several seasons and has noted an increase in viewership, notably from a global audience.

They are certainly the only top-flight club to realise the impact of televising club matches. Regional sponsors have come on board in the process when Beeston produced match interviews.

Last year, the club signed a partnership deal with HC Rotterdam in a bid to join forces over training programmes, ideas and events.

To watch Beeston Hockey Club on Apple TV, search ‘Bee TV’ on its App Store from mid September. Visit beestonhockeyclub.com/live to watch the games online.

The Hockey Paper

Parties close to settling on review head in Black Sticks row

By David Leggat


Black Sticks coach Mark Hager. Photo / Photosport

Expect the two parties in the Mark Hager hockey issue to follow a familiar pattern when appointing a reviewer to look into complaints around the Black Sticks women's team culture.

Both Hockey New Zealand and the sports' players association are expected to name a person early next week to look into claims of a negative environment in the Black Sticks.

That comes in the wake of Hager's ill-starred e-mail to his players during the World Cup in London last month.

In it, he was critical of several players and unimpressed with the general attitude towards training. The email mistakenly reached all his players in London.

Other prominent sports who have had to hold reviews processes recently include cycling, football and rowing.

It is believed the two hockey parties are considering options for a person of similar standing and background, and not a person embedded in sports administration.

Cycling's review related to allegations of a bullying, boozing culture and had head sprint coach Anthony Peden resign over his part in that.

Football's was over the coaching of the departed Andreas Heraf of the women's Football Ferns and his management style of his players.

Rowing's was to do with the culture within the national organisation and whether results were too far outweighing athlete welfare and led to the resignation of long term high performance boss Alan Cotter.

Prominent lawyer Philippa Muir is handling the football review; former solicitor general Mike Heron is doing the report into cycling's culture.

Hager, the former Australian star player who has been in charge of the women's Black Sticks for 10 years, received solid backing from seven of his former New Zealand players this week.

In a two-page letter they went in to bat for him, vigorously supporting his coaching style and trying to balance what they felt was an unfairly negative tone towards him in the coverage of the story to that point.

The New Zealand Herald

Weekend College Games: Division I Season Opener Edition

USA Field Hockey's weekly feature of highlighting some of the top college games in Division I, II and III is back. Division II and III games have not officially started yet, so this week we are only highlighting Division I.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 24



American vs. Richmond | 1 p.m. ET
American will open their regular-season schedule when they host Richmond this Friday at 1 p.m. ET in Washington, D.C. American finished last season 5-1 in the Patriot League and 13-6 overall. The Eagles have a strong 2018 schedule with tough opponents that will hopefully give them the opportunity to grow their knowledge of the game and gain more experience. Richmond ended last season 6-2 in the Atlantic-10 Conference and 8-11 overall. The Spiders have 18 veterans returning for this 2018 season as well as four newcomers. The team will look to lean on the experience of their leaders to be successful.The last time these two teams met, American beat Richmond 5-4 in a thrilling overtime game.

California vs. Providence | 6 p.m. PT
California will host Providence for the start of their 2018 season this Friday at 6 p.m. PT. The game will be the start of a three-game home stand for the Bears and for the third consecutive season, they have been picked third in the American-East (AE) Preseason Poll. Last year, California clinched a share of the West Division title going 4-2 in the AE Conference and 9-8 overall. They return six top scorers from last season and their experienced roster includes three members on the U.S. Women’s National Team Olympic Pipeline. Providence has been picked to finish fourth in the Big East Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Last year, they finished the season 4-3 in conference play and 11-8 overall and will look to their 16 returning players for leadership, composure and experience.

Old Dominion vs. Michigan State | 1 p.m. ET
Michigan State will open their 2018 campaign when they host Old Dominion this Friday at 1 p.m. in East Lansing, Mich. The Spartans finished the 2017 season with a 2-6 record in the Big Ten Conference and 8-11 overall record. With the additional of four international players to their 2018 roster, they have the ability to impact the team from day one. Old Dominion finished the 2017 season with a 5-2 record in the Big East Conference and a 8-10 overall record. The Monarchs were picked to finish third in the Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll. The last time these two teams met, ODU defeated Michigan State 3-2. Both of these teams finished last season with similar records so expect this game to be a close one that will be evenly matched.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25



No. 1 Connecticut vs. No. 15 Stanford | 1:00 p.m. CT
The reigning 2017 NCAA Division I National Champions take on Stanford this Saturday at 1:00 p.m CT at the neutral site of Northwestern University. For the ninth year in a row, Connecticut has been selected to finish first in the Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Huskies currently hold a 25-game regular season conference winning streak, and have won the Big East regular season and tournament for the last five consecutive years. They went undefeated last year with a 23-0 overall record in route to the program's third national title. Stanford was also picked as the divisional favorite in the American East Conference Preseason Poll, as they have won back-to-back American East Conference Championships. Stanford finished the 2017 season 4-2 in conference play and 13-8 overall. Will Stanford be able to prevent Connecticut having another undefeated season?

No. 2 North Carolina vs. No. 5 Michigan | 11:30 a.m. ET
North Carolina will kick off their 2018 season when they host Michigan in the first game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge this Saturday at 11:30 a.m. ET. Last season, the Tar Heels had to play all of their home games at Duke and this game will be the first at UNC’s brand-new facility. Last season, the Tar Heels went 3-3 in ACC play and 18-5 overall. UNC was voted as the favorite in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Preseason Poll and have reached the NCAA Semifinals for the last nine consecutive years. The team welcomes back many experienced players including two members of the U.S. Women’s National Team who participated in the Vitality Hockey Women's World Cup last month. Michigan finished the 2017 season with an undefeated 8-0 record in conference play and 21-3 overall record. The Wolverines are the reigning 2017 Big Ten regular season and tournament champions. Last year, they swept the ACC/Big Ten challenge so expect this game to be an exciting one to watch!

No. 20 Iowa vs. No. 14 Wake Forest | 2:00 p.m. ET
Iowa will take on Wake Forest in Chapel Hill during the ACC/Big Ten Challenge this Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. The ACC/Big Ten Challenge has proven to be one of the premiere early-season field hockey tournaments on the collegiate slate. Iowa finished last season with a 3-5 record in the Big Ten Conference and 7-11 overall record. The Hawkeyes return 14 players including two of their top scorers who both had more than 10 goals apiece last season. They will look to their veteran players to be composed on the ball and their newcomers to bring a spark. Wake Forest finished the 2017 season 3-3 in the ACC and 12-8 overall. The Demon Deacons are a mix of veterans and newcomers with 13 returning players and nine new players. Over the years, Wake Forest has established themselves as a blue-collar team that always works hard. Wake Forest also returns its leading scorer from last season so expect this game to be high scoring one!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 26



No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 7 Virginia | 12:00 p.m. ET
This will be the game to watch in Division I field hockey this weekend. Penn State will kick of their 2018 season when they host Virginia this Sunday at 12:00 p.m. ET. Last season, the Nittany Lions went 6-3 in the Big Ten Conference and 17-5 overall. Penn State has a tough 2018 regular season schedule which they hope will prepare them for post-season play. They have proven to be strong competitors knocking off some top ranked opponents over the last few years. Similar to Penn State, Virginia also faces a tough regular season schedule where they will take on nine teams that were top contenders for last year’s National Championship. The Cavaliers went 5-1 in the ACC last year capturing the regular season title and went 15-5 overall. Virginia will be anchored by their experienced and veteran goalkeeper.

No. 21 Albany vs. No. 11 Syracuse | 2:00 p.m. ET
Syracuse will host Albany for their second regular season game this Sunday at 2:00 p.m. ET. The Orange were picked to finish tied for fourth in the ACC preseason poll. Last season, Syracuse went 2-4 in ACC play and 12-7 overall and they won the program's first-ever National Championship back in 2015. Over the years, the Orange has established themselves as a strong and aggressive team with solid defense as well as major offensive threats. Albany finished last season with a 6-2 record in the America East and 12-7 overall. In 2014, the Great Danes made it to their first NCAA Final Four appearance in program history. Since 2014, the team has established themselves as hardworking and tough to beat. Last time these two teams matched up, Syracuse defeated Albany 2-0.

Sacred Heart vs. Lehigh | 4:00 p.m. ET
Lehigh will host Sacred Heart this Sunday at 4 p.m. ET. Last season, Lehigh finished 2-4 in the Patriot League and 5-13 overall. The Mountain Hawks are a mix of experience with a solid group of returners as well as nine newcomers. Lehigh will look to build on the progress this year and add to the strides they have made over the last few seasons. They have raised their level of speed on and off the ball and are looking to play faster this season. Sacred Heart were selected to finish fifth in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. In 2017, the Pioneers went 3-3 in conference play and 7-12 overall. Last time these two teams met, Lehigh beat Sacred Heart 1-0. If you’re looking for a thrilling game that is evenly matched make sure to watch this one.

*Rankings are based off of the Penn Monto/NFHCA Preseason National Coaches Poll

USFHA media release

New Sportplan Content to Help You Reach Your Potential This Season

Tom Bean



As pre-season builds into the first games of the season, coaches around the country are scratching their heads searching for new ideas to inspire their team to the next level.

Sportplan coaches have been working hard in the off-season to create plenty of new content to provide the inspiration so you can just focus on the coaching. With new audio drills and session plans, focussing particularly on eliminations, coaches are now even better equipped with all the ideas and tools they need to create an exciting, free-flowing style of hockey this time around.

Discover some of the new content below and see how it can help you when you take to the field.
Ramp Elimination

Teach your attackers to run towards the defender at pace and eliminate by creating a little lift over the defenders stick.



Drag Left to Right

Teach your attackers to run towards the defender at pace and eliminate by creating a little lift over the defenders stick.



Sportplan also offers great discounts for club packages offering access to the entire Sportplan library of drills, videos and ready-to-use coaching plans so that clubs can empower their entire coaching staff. Visit Sportplan to see all that our club packages have to offer.

Sportplan