After coming up just one win short of a national title in 2015, the UNC women’s field hockey team is facing enormous expectations entering 2016.

Tuesday morning marked the release of the season’s first National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) top 25 poll–with the Tar Heels being selected No. 1 in the nation.

Although it only received 16 first place votes while No. 2 Syracuse picked up 25, UNC tallied more overall points–915 to the Orange’s 898–in order to earn the distinction of top team in America.

In fact, it was Syracuse that beat the Tar Heels in last season’s NCAA Championship Game–meaning the rivalry is sure to heat up even more this season.

Connecticut, Duke and Virginia rounded out the top five in the rankings, with another ACC rival–Wake Forest–coming in at No. 7.

Tar Heel seniors Emma Bozek and Julia Young were also each named to the Preseason All-ACC team.

They’ll play a large role in helping UNC fulfill its goals in 2015–starting this Saturday with the season opener against No. 10 Michigan in Winston Salem as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.

The Tar Heels will then play again on Sunday against Iowa.