CORTLAND, N.Y. – The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) has released its inaugural Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll for the 2017 spring season. The Cortland Red Dragons have been selected by the conference coaches as this year's favorite to win the SUNYAC Championship, with a unanimous 81 points.
Last season, Cortland, under the helm of second year Head Coach Kelly Lickert-Orr, had an outstanding season going a perfect 16-0 (8-0 conference record) heading into SUNYAC playoffs, eventually defeating Brockport 16-11 in the Championship. Cortland wasn't done yet, as they made a successful run to the Women's Lacrosse Championship Semifinals, ultimately being handed their first loss of the season by Middlebury in a 16-11 contest.
Cortland has been preseason ranked second in the nation by US Lacrosse Magazine (Nike/Lacrosse Rankings) entering the 2017 season.
The Brockport Golden Eagles were voted second in the SUNYAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll, with a combined 72 points. Under Head Coach Stephen Wagner, Brockport finished the 2016 season 15-4 (6-2 conference record) and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, eventually losing to Franklin and Marshall College in the round of 16.
Brockport has also been preseason ranked by US Lacrosse Magazine (Nike/Lacrosse Rankings), standing in as the No. 8 team in the nation.
The Geneseo Knights finished third in the poll with 63 points. Last year, the Knights finished the 2016 season with a record of 12-6 (6-2 conference record), eventually losing to Brockport in the SUNYAC Tournament semifinals.
2017 SUNYAC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Cortland (81 points)
2. Brockport (72 points)
3. Geneseo (63 points)
4. Oswego (44 points)
5. Oneonta (37 points)
6. Buffalo State (36 points)
7. Fredonia (35 points)
8. Potsdam (27 points)
9. New Paltz (10 points)
CLICK HERE for the 2017 SUNYAC Women's Lacrosse Championship Bracket
