Mountain Hawks to face Hofstra Jan. 28 at NYAC
12/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Wrestling
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Winners of the last two Patriot League tournament titles, and five of the last six championships, Lehigh was picked first in the league’s preseason softball poll, which was announced Friday afternoon. The Mountain Hawks, winners of the last 11 regular season championships, top the poll with 49 points and nine of a possible 12 first place votes. The preseason poll is voted upon the league’s coaches and sports information directors.
Lehigh is coming off a 38-18-1 season in 2009 that culminated in a return trip to the NCAA tournament. The Mountain Hawks picked up postseason wins over Florida A&M and Texas A&M as they advanced to an NCAA Regional Final for the second time in four years before bowing to eventual national runner-up Florida. The Mountain Hawks lost a talented and accomplished class to graduation, including four-time Patriot League Pitcher of the Year Lisa Sweeney to graduation.
Fifteenth-year head coach Fran Troyan returns a wealth of talent, led by senior pitcher Tiffany Curtis and catchers Lauren Eichblatt and Brooke Lewis. Lehigh returns five All-League performers from last season, a group that includes Curtis, junior Alex Cueva and sophomores Jen Colquhoun, Julie Fernandez and Audra Wood. Fernandez is the reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Year.
Patriot League tournament participants Colgate, Bucknell and Lafayette each received one of the remaining first place votes. The Raiders finished second in the poll with 36 points followed by the Bison with 34 and the Leopards with 29. Army (18 points) and Holy Cross (14) round out the poll.
The Mountain Hawks will open the 2010 season at the UVa Invitational in Charlottesville, Virginia on Friday February 26. Lehigh will face Notre Dame at 9 a.m. and George Washington at 2 p.m.
2010 Patriot League Softball Preseason Poll
|
Team (# First Place Votes) |
Points |
|
1. LEHIGH (9) |
49 |
|
2. Colgate (1) |
36 |
|
3. Bucknell (1) |
34 |
|
4. Lafayette |
29 |
|
5. Army |
18 |
|
6. Holy Cross |
14 |
