1. Maryland
Field hockey players spend most of their 70-minute games tensely coiled, poised to attack the ball when it comes near them. But for 10 minutes before every game, Maryland coach Missy Meharg prefers that her players take a more Zen-like approach. The coach of the defending NCAA champs leads her team in relaxation exercises -- meditation and deep breathing to name a few -- designed to free them of tension and get them ready for the game. "Before we train the body," says Meharg, "we must train the mind."

Meharg has done her job in both areas, and Maryland is more prepared than ever to be the NCAA's top team. All 11 starters are back, including three-time All-America senior midfielder Carla Tagliente, senior back Rachel Hiskins (a team-high 67 points last season) and junior netminder Ashley Hohnstine (a national-best 0.66 goals-against average). Add freshman midfielder Catherine Rogers, a member of the U.S. Under-19 squad, to an offense that was the country's most prolific last year, and you can understand why Meharg says, "It would be hard to field a better team than this."

2. Michigan
Top scorer Kelli Gannon is back. With a freshman class "from hell," as a Big Ten coach puts it, the Wolverines will make a major run at their first NCAA title.

3. Old Dominion
All-America senior Maria DiGiacomo (40 goals) will provide most of the firepower for an inexperienced squad.

4. North Carolina
National teamer Jana Toepel, a senior, and junior forward Abbey Woolley lead a UNC team that lost no starters.

5. Penn State
Seniors midfielder Traci Anselmo and forward Maegan Galie (30 goals, 27 assists combined) anchor a veteran team.

6. Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons, coming off their most successful season (18-4), are led by senior midfielder Jenny Everett.

7. Connecticut
Despite the graduation of All-America Danielle Vile, the Huskies still have seniors Amy Herz, Laura Klein and Kate Stephens.

8. Iowa
The nation's best defensive unit in '99 will lean heavily on junior midfielder Anita Miller.

9. Virginia
Nine starters are back to avenge the Cavaliers' third straight NCAA tournament loss to Old
Dominion.

10. Princeton
The Tigers will return to the NCAAs behind seniors Hilary Matson and Melanie Meerschwam.

HOT DATES

Nov. 2-5
ACC Tournament, College Park, Md. Four of SI FOR WOMEN's Top 10 will be there

Nov. 17, 19
Division I championship, Norfolk

DIVISION II

With Krista Engle leading the attack and Trish Leitzel in goal, Bloomsburg (Pa.) will bring home an unprecedented fifth straight national title.

DIVISION III

Despite the loss of lethal scorer Tiffany Trockenbrod, The College of New Jersey still has Kris Arnold (43 points).

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

During the off-season, Maryland's Carla Tagliente accumulated a wealth of experience as a starter for the national team. This fall she'll put that experience to good use as the dominant player for the dominant team in the country.

CYBERSOURCES

http://www.eteamz.com
NFHCA Weekly polls and commentary

http://athletic.virginia.edu/uva/FHSTATS.html
Stats updated daily