LANCASTER, PA. -- Gwynedd Mercy was chosen third in the 2021 Atlantic East Conference Field Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll announced on Monday.

The Griffins totaled 17 points to edge out Cabrini by one point for fourth place. Both institutions each garnered one first-place vote.

Marywood received 21 out of a possible 25 points and picked up two first-place votes to claim the top spot. Prior to last fall's lost COVID season, the Pacers captured the 2019 Atlantic East Championship.

St. Mary's College of Maryland finished second in the rankings with 19 points and two other first-place tallies. The 2021 season will be the first year of Atlantic East play for St. Mary's as they were added as an affiliate field hockey member of the conference in 2020.

Rounding out the poll in order were Immaculata and Neumann with 11 and 6 points, respectively.

All six schools open up the 2021 season on Wednesday, September 1. Conference play begins on Wednesday, October 6 featuring matchups between Cabrini and Marywood as well as Immaculata and Neumann.

The 2021 Atlantic East Tournament will get underway with quarterfinal action on Saturday, October 30, followed by the semifinals on Wednesday, November 3 and the championship on Saturday, November 6.

Gwynedd Mercy kickstarts their 2021 campaign when they host Misericordia on Wednesday, September 1st.