WORCESTER, Mass. — The Assumption field hockey team was the pre-season pick to win the NE-10 championship.

The Hounds have been to the NCAA D2 Semifinals three seasons in a row. Last year, they were 12-1 in the NE-10 and 16-7 overall.

They return this year with five All-League players, are excited about their team and like being the top pick to win the league title.

"It feels great to be recognized as number one in the pre-season poll," captain Paige Gillette said. "It's an honor that people think that highly of us, but now it's time to prove it. It's time to get to work, I can already tell this group of dreshman are awesome. This team's ready to go."

"I think this team's great," captain Callie Beauparlant said. "We have a lot of returners and I think we're all super close, which will be really important going into the season.  We've already played a lot together so that will be really important."

Assumption opens up on the road at West Chester Sept. 6.