Belles Tabbed Fourth in MIAA Lacrosse Preseason Poll

FREELAND, Mich. - The Saint Mary's lacrosse team was picked to finish fourth in the 2018 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll.

Defending conference champion Calvin is the preseason favorite with 63 total points and seven first place votes. Albion and Hope tied for the second place slot with 51 points. Saint Mary's garnered 46 points as voted upon by league coaches. It is the second consecutive season the Belles have been fourth in the preseason poll after tying for the fourth place slot in the 2017 poll.

Coming off of the best season to-date, the team has their sites set on surpassing that preseason pick in 2018. Saint Mary's finished second in the regular season standings a year ago.

"Our goal continues to be to climb the MIAA ranks," said head coach Amy Long. "We have a talented, close-knit group that I am confident will push themselves and each other to achieve new levels of success. We are led by a strong core of returning players including three All-MIAA honorees from last season - Clare Theisen, Rachael Leonard, and Kate Kelly. Our program has a strong history of exceeding expectations of those outside of our program, and it is our goal to do the same in 2018. Our ascent in the MIAA will continue this season, and we look forward to proving ourselves to be a top MIAA team once again this year."

The Belles open their 2018 season on March 6 when they host Elmhurst at the Purcell Athletic Fields.

2018 Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Calvin - 63 points (7 first place votes)
t2. Albion - 51 points (2 first place votes)
t3. Hope - 51 points
4. Saint Mary's - 46 points
5. Adrian - 34 points
6. Kalamazoo - 31 points
7. Alma - 24 points
8. Trine - 16 points
9. Olivet - 8 points