Sacred Heart, which won the Tri-State Conference in the fall of 2016 and finished 2nd in 2017, is shifting to the New England Wide Conference for the 2017-18 season.

Head Coach Ray Peterson said that the move was precipitated by a desire for more consistent competition, and also travel considerations. 

The top teams in the Tri-State are strong, and that includes current conference champions RPI, said Peterson. But others struggle and over a dozen forfeits were recorded in the Men's North and South divisions this season.

In addition, said Peterson, the New England Wide is much more convenient for the Fairfield, Conn.-based team. With Hartford, Quinnipiac, Coast Guard, WCSU, and CCSU all in the Nutmeg State, travel costs will be cut significantly.

Sacred Heart has no guarantee of winning what is a very competitive New England Wide conference. This past season Coast Guard, Quinnipiac, and Hartford were all in a tight dogfight, with Quinnipiac and Coast Guard tying each other, and Hartford beating both, but by a combined margin of eight points. Sacred Heart will certainly be in the conversation as a contender next fall.