Lehigh University Athletics
Mountain Hawks picked third in preseason poll
2/11/2009 1:00:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Patriot League announced its 2009 women’s lacrosse preseason poll on Wednesday and Lehigh was selected to finish third as the Mountain Hawks garnered 52 votes. Defending champion Colgate was picked to repeat atop the standings as the Raiders received 71 overall votes and 11 first-place votes. Navy was second in the poll with 53 votes, only one more than the third place Mountain Hawks, while American, Holy Cross, Bucknell and Lafayette round out the poll. The preseason poll is voted upon by the league’s seven head coaches and sports information directors.
Lehigh earned its second consecutive Patriot League Tournament bid last season and has won 18 games during the last two seasons – the program’s most wins in a two-year span since 1995-96. Led by an explosive attack unit of Sara MacIntyre, Inneke Carmola and Meagan Tenety the Mountain Hawks will look to eclipse the school record for goals scored in a season, which was set just last year when they found the back of the net 233 times.
Sophomore Lauren Dykstra was the third consecutive Mountain Hawk to garner Patriot League Rookie of the Year accolades last season after exploding for 64 goals a season ago. Dykstra will be joined in the midfield by classmates Allison Thomas and Kindall Healy as well as talented newcomer Lauren Murray.
Leading the way on defense for the Brown and White will be junior Kelsy Ferris, a 2008 All-Patriot League selection. Ferris stopped 172 shots last season and has earned three Patriot League Goal Keeper of the Week honors throughout her career. Playing in front of Ferris will be senior captains Sarah Fudin and Tess McGrath. Fudin is a two time All-League selection, while McGrath has been one of the Mountain Hawks most well-rounded players during her career. This will mark McGrath’s first season on defense after playing in the midfield during her first three seasons.
Lehigh begins its season under first year head coach Jill Redfern on Sunday, February 15 when the Mountain Hawks take on the St. Joseph’s Hawks at the Ulrich Sports Complex. Game time is set for 1:00.
2009 Patriot League Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll
|
School (# first place votes) |
Total Votes |
|
1.Colgate (11) |
71 |
|
2.Navy (3) |
53 |
|
3.LEHIGH |
52 |
|
4.American |
50 |
|
5.Holy Cross |
33 |
|
6.Bucknell |
19 |
|
7.Lafayette |
16 |
