ANNVILLE, Pa. --- The Lycoming College women’s lacrosse team has been selected to finish fourth in the 2009 Middle Atlantic Conference preseason poll that was voted on by the league’s coaches and released on Wednesday, Feb. 25.
The FDU-Florham Devils earned the top-spot in the preseason poll, earning eight first-place votes and 130 points. The Devils finished their 2008 season with a record of 16-3 after entering the first-round of the NCAA Tournament. The Devils return standout Amanda Wayne, the MAC Player of the Year and a first team IWLCA All-Region selection. She led the team with 63 goals, 23 assists and 86 points.
Elizabethtown College was voted second, earning 125 points, including four first-place votes. Messiah College was ranked third (107), while MAC newcomer Eastern University was selected fifth (100). Widener was sixth (76), while Manhattanville was selected seventh (66). King’s College (57), Misericordia (56) and Wilkes (48) were eighth through 10th. Arcadia and Alvernia universities round out the voting with 35 points apiece.
After finishing the season 9-8 overall, the Lady Warriors reached the conference semifinals and fell to top-seeded FDU-Florham. Returning for Lycoming at midfield will be junior Justine Titko, who scored 23 goals and 10 assists last season. She also led the team in groundballs (32). On defense, Lycoming returns junior Danielle Gargiulo, last year’s caused-turnover leader (17).
“We have a lot more depth at the midfield this season,” states new head coach Erica Brown. “There are always seven people on offense that can score, pass and assist. On defense, Gargiulo and Alex DeWitt bring height and Morgan Reale brings speed. Off the draw, Titko, Bri Robinson, Sammi Jo Bell, Ashley Collins and Ashley Steel are all capable of getting the draw-control. Freshman Grace Gargiulo will also be getting runs on the midfield.”
The Lady Warriors open their season on Tuesday, March 3 at home against York College of Pa. Draw time is set for 3 p.m.
2009 Middle Atlantic Conference Preseason Poll
1. FDU-Florham 130 (8)
2. Elizabethtown 125 (4)
3. Messiah 107
4. Lycoming 101
5. Eastern 100
6. Widener 76
7. Manhattanville 66
8. King's 57
9. Misericordia 56
10. Wilkes 48
11t. Arcadia 35
11t. Alvernia 35
