WATCH: CAC Field Hockey Preseason Webcast

YORK, Pa. - - Three-time defending CAC champion Salisbury was once again selected as the favorite in a preseason poll among conference coaches. The Sea Gulls were unanimously selected as the preseason favorite with six first-place votes and 36 points in the voting of the seven CAC coaches.

Christopher Newport (28 points, 1 first-place vote) and Mary Washington (28 points) tied for second in the poll, with York (22 points) and St. Mary's (15 points) rounding out the top five. Frostburg State (12 points) and Wesley (6 points) ranked sixth and seventh, respectively, in the preseason voting.

Salisbury tallied its third straight CAC championship in 2015, defeating Mary Washington 2-1 in dramatic fashion in double overtime. The double OT road triumph in the title game was the second in the past three years for the Sea Gulls, who own a conference-best 19 CAC crowns.

Salisbury, Mary Washington, and Christopher Newport each sported strong NCAA resumes last fall, but the Sea Gulls were the only CAC squad to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. After receiving a first-round bye, the Sea Gulls fell to Rochester, 3-2, in the second round.

Some fresh faces will be on the sidelines this fall, as new head coaches are set to take over both St. Mary's and York, squads that have reached the CAC playoffs each of the past two seasons.

Five of the seven CAC squads will advance to the conference playoffs, with the championship game set for Saturday, Nov. 5. Three CAC teams begin their campaigns on Thursday, Sept. 1, with CAC play set to begin in late September.

Below is a brief preview of each team heading into the 2016 season:

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT is coming off of a season during which the Captains posted a 13-4 record, including a 5-1 mark in league action, while claiming a share of the regular season CAC championship. Entering 2016, head coach Carrie Moura's team features seven returning starters, including a pair of All-League selections. Brittan Muir, the reigning CAC Co-Rookie of the Year, and senior goalie Bailey Lien headline the veteran contingent.

FROSTBURG STATE has increased its win total in each of Carly Sweeney's first five years and the 2016 season shouldn't be any different. The Bobcats return three seniors in Jackie Gover (goalkeeper), Taylor Bowen (midfield) and Jacquelyn Nava (midfield) who will provide leadership to the team. Sweeney is also very optimistic about the 16 talented players that make up her sophomore and junior class. Junior Elizabeth Davis returns to power the defense after leading the team with three defensive saves last fall. Sophomore Samantha Schaffer is the team's returning scoring leader after totaling 10 points on five goals as a freshman.

MARY WASHINGTON will enter the season with a young squad, with seniors Christina Malave and Christine Loehr looking to head a group that saw the graduation of All-Americans Haley Kane and Jenna Steele. Loehr, Allegra Massey-Elim, and Noor Varjabedian will carry the load offensively, with All-CAC goalie Jessica Cavolt spearheading a defense that includes returnees Malave and Mackenzie Burnett.

ST. MARY'S is looking forward to the new energy being brought in by first-year head coach Jessica Seay. The Seahawks are 18-strong this season and will be led by two-time All-CAC selection Brady Wolf (7 G, 3 A in 2015) and fellow team captains Kevyn Jorgenson (1 DS), Megan Moore (8 G, 1 A), and Alli Szymanski (2 G).

SALISBURY heads into the 2016 season as the defending CAC champion having won the past three titles. The Sea Gulls graduated four of its six All-CAC selections, but brings back first-team member Hannah Miller. The senior is joined by classmates Becca Rinaca, Cassie Preisch, and Abbey Shobe with each playing in at least 15 games for the Sea Gulls in 2015. Rinaca is the top returning scorer from a year ago, with 10 goals and three assists while Miller added four goals and four assists. The defense will be anchored in 2016 by seniors Jessie Todd and Annah Brittingham and junior goalkeeper Tressie Windsor. Brittingham was a second-team All-CAC pick while Windsor led the CAC and ranked 12th nationally with a 0.94 goals-against average last season.

WESLEY returns 12 players from last year's roster, led by seniors Morgan Seymour, Allison Perugini, Lauren Niezgoda, and Isabella Lucia. The team made seven straight CAC Playoff appearances from 2007 to 2013, but have missed out on the postseason the past two years. The Wolverines will hope to snap that streak this year when they open their schedule on Sept. 1.

YORK enters a new era as head coach Kaitlyn Hamilton begins her first year at the helm of the Spartan program. She will have a large core of returners to count on headlined by All-American Ali Posey. Posey is joined by fellow All-CAC performer Sydney LaMarsh and CAC Rookie-of-the-Year Lindsay Nye. Autumn Mallory and Beth Patrick are two more returners who will also provide the Spartans with a high level of offensive production. Defensively, Jennifer Morrissette and LaMarsh give York a strong pair of defenders who will lead the Spartans in the defensive third.

2016 CAC Field Hockey Preseason Poll