Shippensburg University’s women’s lacrosse was ranked 12th in the 2016 PSAC Lacrosse Coaches’ Preseason Poll on Feb. 10.
The team set a goal this year to make it to the PSAC playoffs and it is looking to build on its strengths and improve on past seasons. In the poll, the Raiders are seated above the team they defeated for their lone 2015 conference win, Kutztown University.
For the first time since 2013, West Chester University was picked to finish first in the 2016 PSAC poll. The Golden Rams are looking toward making their 16th consecutive appearance in the PSAC post-season. They have eight PSAC titles within that span. West Chester University is led by returning 2015 All-PSAC First Team member Ashley Pyle, who led the Rams last year with 41 goals and 31 assists. Midfielder Erin Eckert, attacker Dina Cifelli and defender Mckayl Novak are other All-PSAC selections alongside Pyle.
The No. 2 seed was given to Seton Hill University, which received one first place vote in the poll. Two time All-PSAC Second Team member Emily Fagan looks to lead the team to PSAC playoffs after her 52 goals and 22 assists recorded last season. The Griffins also return All-PSAC midfielder Keagan Pontious, who recorded 103 draw controls and 46 ground balls.
For SU, the Raiders will return 16 players from last year’s team. Similar to last season, the Raiders are a young team this year, consisting of seven upperclassmen. These include senior goalkeeper Ally Frymoyer and attacker Tanisha Joseph. The Raiders also return junior defender Annemarie Cericola, 2015 All-PSAC Third Team member and PSAC leader in ground balls, with 64 for the season. Junior Max Barkley also returns from a successful season after setting the SU record of 96 draw controls.
SU finished last season with a 3-14 overall record and a 1-11 PSAC record. Of these 11 conference losses, only one was by just one point.
The captains for the Raiders this season include sophomore defender Makenzie Magnotta, junior attacker Amanda Frank and junior midfielder Ali Harclerode.
SU is prepared to start its season at Shepherd University on Feb. 27.
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