IWLCA preseason poll (PDF)

EAST STROUDSBURG – East Stroudsburg University will begin the 2012 women's lacrosse season tied for 14th in the IWLCA (Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association) Division II preseason poll, it was announced Friday.

The Warriors, who were 14th in the final poll last season, are coming off a PSAC semifinal appearance and their first postseason win since 1986. They were 10-9 last spring, their third 10-win season in four years, led by All-American Molly O'Hara and All-Region selection Michelle Mangiaruga.

ESU is one of five PSAC schools ranked in the poll, which was expanded from 10 to 15 schools midway through last season. Lock Haven is No. 4, West Chester is No. 7, Mercyhurst is No. 10 and Gannon is No. 13. Two of ESU's 10 wins last season came at Gannon, 15-14 in overtime in the regular season and 16-8 in the PSAC quarterfinals.

Defending national champion Adelphi and LeMoyne are tied for No. 1 in Division II. Runner-up Limestone is No. 3, followed by Lock Haven, C.W. Post, Dowling, West Chester, Rollins, Stonehill and Mercyhurst rounding out the top 10.

ESU's five non-conference games include the season opener against LeMoyne on March 5 at Whitenight Field, and a game at Dowling on March 22.


IWLCA Division II preseason poll – (record, points, previous rank)

t-1. Adelphi (20-0) – 214 – 1
t-1. LeMoyne (18-3) – 214 – 2
3. Limestone (18-2) – 173 – 3
4. Lock Haven (16-3) – 161 – 4
5. C.W. Post (13-4) – 160 – t-7
6. Dowling (15-3) – 158 – 5
7. West Chester (16-5) – 150 – 6
8. Rollins (13-4) – 121 – t-7
9. Stonehill (15-4) – 118 – 9
10. Mercyhurst (13-6) – 75 – 11
11. New Haven (10-8) – 74 – 10
12. Merrimack (12-7) – 65 – 12
13. Gannon (12-5-1) – 45 – 13
t-14. ESU (10-9) – 15 – 14
t-14. Bentley (9-8) – 15 – RV
t-14. Molloy (11-5) – 15 – RV

Receiving votes: Bloomsburg, Pfeiffer