NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – For the second time this offseason, the East Stroudsburg University lacrosse team has been selected as the top team in NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse, as the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association announced on Monday afternoon that ESU topped the annual preseason poll.
In the poll, East Stroudsburg claimed 19 of 15 first-place votes. Adelphi, a fellow NCAA Semifinalist a season ago was picked second, while rival West Chester claimed third. Florida Southern and Grand Valley round out the top-five teams.
The Warriors, the national runner-up a season ago, posted a 20-2 record in 2022. ESU advanced to the NCAA Semifinal site for the third time over the past four years, defeating Queens, 13-12 in overtime, to advance to the program's first-ever national championship appearance.
USA Lacrosse Magazine also selected ESU as its preseason national championship favorite, announced earlier this year. The publication also announced that Emily Mitarotonda was named the Preseason Player of the Year, while Maggie Sell and Kiki Fitzpatrick also earned Preseason All-America status.
In 2022, ESU led the nation in ground balls per game, ranked third in caused turnovers per game, boasted the sixth-best scoring defense, along with a top-25 offense. The Warriors return eight starters, add three transfers in GK Riley DiFiore (York), Campbell Heller (Wilmington) and Jocelyn Smestad (Presbyterian) along with welcoming seven freshmen in Hannah Schiemer, Lauren Hallman, Jolee Roth, Mia LaBarca, Kenna Price, Lauren Waite and Kaz Kennedy.
ESU looks to punch its ticket to its sixth consecutive NCAA Tournament in 2022. The NCAA Semifinal and NCAA Championship Game will be hosted by the University of Indianapolis from May 19-21.
The ILWomen/IWLCA Poll will be unveiled Mondays throughout the season beginning Monday, February 20. It is voted on jointly by coaches throughout the country and members of the media.
The Warriors begin its potential repeat as PSAC Champions and three-peat as NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Champions on February 26 against No. 14 Seton Hill. First draw at Whitenight Field is slated for 11:00 a.m.
2023 ILWomen/IWLCA Division II Poll - Preseason
|
Rank
|
Institution
|
Points (FPV)
|
|
1
|
East Stroudsburg
|
613 (19)
|
|
2
|
Adelphi
|
582 (1)
|
|
3
|
West Chester
|
544
|
|
4
|
Florida Southern
|
526
|
|
5
|
Grand Valley
|
500
|
|
6
|
Le Moyne
|
498
|
|
7
|
Tampa
|
482 (2)
|
|
8
|
Uindy
|
436 (3)
|
|
9
|
Regis (CO)
|
404
|
|
10
|
Rollins
|
375
|
|
11
|
Mercy
|
360
|
|
12
|
Pace
|
357
|
|
13
|
Wingate
|
284
|
|
14
|
Seton Hill
|
277
|
|
15
|
Lynn
|
262
|
|
16
|
Embry-Riddle
|
219
|
|
17
|
Assumption
|
172
|
|
18
|
Mercyhurst
|
158
|
|
19
|
New Haven
|
132
|
|
20
|
Roberts Wesleyan
|
125
|
|
21
|
Bentley
|
113
|
|
22
|
Colorado Mesa
|
92
|
|
23
|
Mount Olive
|
87
|
|
24
|
Davenport
|
85
|
|
25
|
Saint Leo
|
77
|
|
RV
|
Stonehill, Florida Tech, Queens, Indiana (PA), Limestone
|
|
