NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Field Hockey Champion Richmond has been predicted to win the 2012 A-10 Championship once again, according to the preseason poll conducted by the league's eight head coaches.

The Spiders, who have won the A-10 championship seven out of the last 10 years, will return nine starters and 18 letterwinners from last year's team. Among those starters will include junior All-American goalkeeper Anna Zarkoski, who had 101 saves and seven shutouts last season, and junior All-Region midfielder Chelsea Davies.

The Spiders have won seven of the last 10 Atlantic 10 Regular-Season and Tournament titles and have a 72-10 record against Atlantic 10 teams over the last 10 years, including a 57-7 record in Atlantic 10 Conference regular-season play.

Hosted by the Minutewomen of Massachusetts, the 2012 Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Championship will be held on November 2nd and 3rd at the Richard F. Garber Field in Amherst, Mass.

2012 Atlantic 10 Field Hockey Preseason Ranking
1. Richmond (16-7; 5-1)
2. Massachusetts (7-11; 5-1)
3. Temple (9-13; 4-2)
4. VCU (5-12; 2-5 CAA)
5. La Salle (8-10; 3-2)
6. Saint Joseph's (6-11; 1-5)
7. Lock Haven (10-10; 3-3)
8. Saint Louis (3-14; 0-4)