BOSTON— The Northeastern women's hockey team was picked to repeat as champions in the Hockey East preseason head coaches' poll as announced by the league on Tuesday. The Huskies received eight first-place votes to top the poll with 88 points.
 
The Huskies are coming off an unprecedented sixth-straight Hockey East Championship, third-straight Frozen Four appearance and record 18th Beanpot title. Northeastern returns reigning National Goaltender of the Year and First Team All-American Gwyneth Philips in net. In addition to Philips, the Huskies bring back All-Hockey East honorees, Megan Carter, Katy Knoll and Abbey Marohn and All-Rookie selection Lily Shannon.
 
Northeastern has added seven freshmen as well as Becca Vanstone, a graduate transfer from Yale, to bolster a veteran lineup.
 
The Huskies open the 2023-24 season in Matthews Arena against the reigning CHA Champion Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m.
 
2023 HOCKEY EAST PRESEASON POLL

	Team (1st)	Points
1	Northeastern (8)	90
2	Vermont	75
3	Providence (1)	74
4	UConn (1)	65
5	Boston University	59
6	Boston College	58
7	Maine	38
8	New Hampshire	35
9	Merrimack	28
10	Holy Cross	20