Complete Release
Brooklyn, N.Y. – The Long Island University women’s lacrosse team was tabbed seventh in the Northeast Conference preseason coaches’ poll announced by the league office. The poll was conducted among the league’s coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own team.
The Blackbirds finished last season with a 4-13 overall record and finished seventh in the NEC with a 2-6 mark. Second-year head coach Heather Levins’ squad returns five of its top six scorers as it will attempt to qualify for its first NEC Tournament berth. Senior
Christie Wienckowski paced LIU with 50 points (33 goals, 17 assists) in 2009, and ranked third in the NEC with 57 draw controls. She will be joined up front by junior
Annie Kalata, who led LIU and finished ninth on the circuit with 38 goals. Anchoring the midfield are senior
Jillian Maricondo and junior
Sara LaNoir, who combined for more than 20 points, 60 ground balls, 35 caused turnovers and almost 50 draws last season. A pair of sophomore goalkeepers
Amber Meek and
Jacqueline Simonian return after compiling more than 400 minutes in goal apiece.
Two-time defending league champion Sacred Heart collected five first-place votes and was tabbed the preseason favorite. Monmouth collected three first-place votes and was second, followed by Quinnipiac, which collected the other two first-place votes.
The top four teams in the regular season standings will qualify for the Northeast Conference Tournament to be held at the site of the highest seed on April 23 and 25.
Long Island opens the 2010 season at home on Sunday, Feb. 21, against Saint Mary’s.