SBU Picked Eighth in Preseason Lacrosse Poll

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Two-time defending Atlantic 10 Conference champion Massachusetts is the slight favorite to claim the 2011 A-10 Women's Lacrosse title in voting conducted by the league's head coaches. The Bonnies are forecast to finish eighth.

The Minutewomen, who have finished no lower than second place in the A-10 regular season standings the last two seasons, were listed first on four ballots to lead all schools with 62 points. UMass edged 2010 regular season champion Richmond, which received three first-place votes good for 61 points. La Salle was the coaches' pick to finish third as the Explorers tallied 46 points. Temple garnered the other first-place vote and registered 36 points to place fourth in the preseason poll.

Duquesne (31) was selected fifth followed by Saint Joseph's (23), George Washington (20) and St. Bonaventure (17).

St. Bonaventure ended last season at 7-9 overall, 2-5 in the A-10. The Bonnies, who return First Team All-Conference midfielder Christine Hanley, begin the 2011 campaign Feb. 13 at Bucknell.

Preseason Poll (# first place votes), Total Points
1 - Massachusetts (4), 62 points
2 - Richmond (3), 61 points
3 - La Salle, 46 points
4 - Temple (1), 36 points
5 - Duquesne, 31 points
6 - Saint Joseph's, 23 points
7 - George Washington, 20 points
8 - St. Bonaventure, 17 points