February 26, 2009

Norwich Edges Out Emerson In Preseason Coaches' Poll

Defending GNAC tournament champion Norwich has been chosen as the women’s lacrosse preseason favorite of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in a vote conducted by the league’s coaches. The Cadets, who were 4-1 in conference play and 11-5 overall earned the first ever GNAC women’s lacrosse conference title, received four first place votes and a total of 45 points in the GNAC women’s lacrosse preseason poll. The Cadets return six members of the first-team all-conference team, including GNAC tournament MVP junior midfielder Ally Daniels. Other first-team all-conference selections include attackers Ashley Haviland and Chelsea Martin, midfielder Kathleeen Hennessy, defender Dawn McNulty, and goalkeeper Kellie Pickel.

Emerson College, the regular season champions from last season with a 5-0 conference record and 13-4 overall, was selected a close second in the preseason poll with 43 points and three first place votes. The Lions return first-team all-conference selection sophomore attacker Laura Miley and a duo of second-team all-conference performers, sophomore midfielder Katie Peters and sophomore midfielder Maeghan Ross.

Earning third place in the preseason poll with 32 points is Lasell College and rounding out the top four is Saint Joseph’s (Maine) with 30 points.

1.    Norwich (45)
2.    Emerson (43)
3.    Lasell (32)
4.    Saint Joseph’s (ME) (30)