EAST STROUDSBURG -- Inside Lacrosse and the Intercollegaite Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) announced on Monday afternoon that the East Stroudsburg University women's lacrosse team is ranked No. 5 in the ILWomen/IWLCA Preseason Poll.
The potent Warrior offense that ranked 19th nationally in scoring offense, returns over 60 percent of its goals, assists and points from a season ago.
ESU will look to replace the production of All-Americans and Warrior greats Hana Cicerelle (ESU all-time points leader) and goalkeeper Tatyana Petteway (ESU all-time saves leader).
IWLCA All-America Second Team selection Emily Mitarotonda is the leading returning scorer, who tied with Cicerelle with 48 goals in the impressive debut season. Gianna LeDuc (28 goals, 19 assists), and Shannon Dent also return, as three of the top five points leaders return for the Warriors.
In the cage, ESU will have options with senior McKenzie Gaghan, junior Kate McKay and freshman Bella Gismondi looking to replace Pettway.
Overall, ESU has three US Lacrosse Preseason All-Americans in Mitarotonda, Kayleigh Pokrivka and LeDuc. Additionally, the Warriors return four of their six all-region selections in Mitartonda, Pokrivka, Kristen Andreychak and LeDuc.
Along with the addition of seven freshman Warriors, ESU adds transfers in Maddie Heck (Georgian Court) and Allie Sweeney. Heck enters her graduate season with 99 career goals, 48 assists, 147 points, 107 ground balls and 227 draw controls. Heck is a three-time all-conference selection for the CACC. Sweeney made eight starts for Division I Akron, earning 11 ground balls and nine turnovers.
The Warriors were one of three PSAC institutions ranked in the preseason poll, finishing ahead of No. 6 West Chester and No. 18 Seton Hill. ESU defeated both the Griffins and Golden Rams to capture their second-ever Atlantic region championship on their way to the NCAA Semifinals a season ago.
This preseason poll marks the first ILWomen/IWLCA poll of the year. Both Inside Lacrosse and the IWLCA made the decision to join forces in the 2022 season's weekly polls, which was announced last week.
ESU opens the 2022 Season at Whitenight Field on March 2nd against Jefferson.
2022 ILWomen/IWLCA Division II Poll – Preseason
|
Rank
|
Institution
|
Points (FPV)
|
Last Poll
|
|
1
|
Lindenwood (0 - 0)
|
524 (20)
|
1
|
|
2
|
UIndy (0 - 0)
|
496 (1)
|
3
|
|
3
|
Queens (0 - 0)
|
478
|
2
|
|
4
|
Le Moyne (0 - 0)
|
464
|
5
|
|
5
|
East Stroudsburg (0 - 0)
|
404
|
4
|
|
6
|
West Chester (0 - 0)
|
403
|
6
|
|
7
|
Florida Southern (0 - 0)
|
397
|
8
|
|
8
|
Rollins (0 - 0)
|
362
|
10
|
|
9
|
Regis (CO) (0 - 0)
|
328
|
9
|
|
10
|
Roberts Wesleyan (0 - 0)
|
317
|
7
|
|
11
|
Adelphi (0 - 0)
|
306
|
14
|
|
11
|
Tampa (0 - 0)
|
306
|
T-12
|
|
13
|
Limestone (0 - 0)
|
289
|
11
|
|
14
|
Grand Valley State (0 - 0)
|
243
|
17
|
|
15
|
Mercy (0 - 0)
|
237
|
16
|
|
16
|
Bentley (0 - 0)
|
231
|
T-12
|
|
17
|
Mount Olive (0 - 0)
|
192
|
15
|
|
18
|
Seton Hill (0 - 0)
|
169
|
20
|
|
19
|
Pace (0 - 0)
|
162
|
19
|
|
20
|
Assumption (0 - 0)
|
118
|
18
|
|
21
|
Saint Anselm (0 - 0)
|
102
|
22
|
|
22
|
New Haven (0 - 0)
|
95
|
21
|
|
23
|
Saint Leo (0 - 0)
|
63
|
23
|
|
24
|
Colorado Mesa (0 - 0)
|
48
|
24
|
|
25
|
Davenport (0 - 0)
|
31
|
25
|
