FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - Christopher Newport and Salisbury were selected as co-favorites in the 2018 Capital Athletic Conference Field Hockey Preseason Poll. The Captains and Sea Gulls each totaled three first-place votes and 23 points to land deadlocked atop the poll in a vote among the conference head coaches. 

York finished third in the poll with 17 points, with Mary Washington in fourth place with 13 points. St. Mary's (9 points) and Frostburg State (5 points) rounded out the voting. 

CNU defeated Salisbury 2-1 in double overtime in last year's title match, with both squads advancing to the NCAA Tournament. 

Featuring a new tournament format in 2018, all six CAC squads will advance to the conference playoffs, with the championship game set for Saturday, Nov. 3. The 2018 campaign begins on Friday, Aug. 31, with CAC play set to begin on Sept. 30. 

2018 CAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll