Defending America East Champion Boston University has been chosen to repeat as conference champion according to the coaches' poll.. The Terriers received all seven first-place votes and 49 points overall.
University of New Hampshire was chosen second with 40 points, followed by America East newcomer University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) with 35 points. University of Vermont (23), University at Albany (22), Stony Brook University (19) and Binghamton University (8) rounded out the poll.
The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Lacrosse Championship.
Boston University (14-5 overall, 5-0 America East) ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (6.32), third in the nation in scoring offense (12.74) and led the nation in scoring margin (+6.42) last year. The Terriers, who have been chosen No. 10 (Inside Lacrosse), No. 11 (Lacrosse Magazine) and No. 12 (IWLCA/Brine) in the preseason national polls, were paced offensively by junior midfielder Alyssa Trudel, the America East Player of the Year, who led the conference in scoring and assists. Trudel scored 42 goals and added 44 assists for 86 points in 19 games. She ranked third in the nation in assists and fourth in scoring. Other first-team all-conference players returning for coach Liza Shoemaker include sophomore attacker Mary Beth Miller (44 goals, 15 assists in 19 games), senior defender Sasha Lang, the America East Defensive Player of the Year, and junior goalkeeper Anne Sheridan, who led America East and ranked fifth in the nation in goals against average (7.02) and ninth in the nation in save percentage (.567). Junior Kelly Trahon, an all-conference choice in 2002 who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, is expected to be healthy this season.
New Hampshire (5-12, 4-1) advanced to the conference championship game for the second-straight season last year. Jessie Groszkowski, a three-time all-conference choice and the America East Player of the Year in 2002, has graduated after scoring 54 goals and adding seven assists in 17 games last season. Coach Sandy Bridgeman's Wildcats return an all-conference first-team choice at each of the field positions. Junior attacker Jess Burnap (27 goals, 12 assists in 17 games), senior midfielder Sarah Cahill and junior defender Renee Nemmers all earned that distinction in 2003.
UMBC was 10-9 overall last season and won the Northeast Conference Championship for the fifth time in six years. Coach Monica Yeakel lost only three players to graduation and returns a solid nucleus on defense in front of two rookie goalkeepers. Junior Stephanie Crouch, the 2002 Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year, leads the midfielders. Senior Jen Dragoni, the 2003 Northeast Conference Player of the Year, returns at attack after scoring 37 goals and adding 24 assists in 19 games. Sophomore Kelly Fiorani (37 goals, 10 assists in 19 games) and junior Lauren Hess (33 goals, eight assists in 19 games) also return.
Vermont (4-10, 2-3) made its second-straight appearance in the America East Championship last season. Junior Vanessa Cox, a first-team all-conference attack, scored 46 goals and added six assists in 14 games to finish second in the conference in scoring. She was eighth in the nation in goals per game (3.29). Senior midfielder Sarah Booker and sophomore defender Dana Spencer, each of whom were second-team choices last season, also return for interim head coach Tracy Scott.
Albany (3-13, 2-3) missed the America East Championship field by virtue of a coin flip a season ago. Coach Dennis Short graduated each of his three all-conference choices, but adds nine newcomers in a promising class. Kim Reny, who scored 203 goals on the scholastic level, was a first-team U.S. Lacrosse High School All-American. Sarah Spillett and Krissy Rajczak, sister of top returning scorer Jenn Rajczak (14 goals, five assists in 15 games), were selected honorable mention All-Americans.
Stony Brook (7-10, 2-3) made its first appearance in the America East Championship in its first season in the conference. The Seawolves' rookie class included first-team all-conference midfielder Danielle Werner, who scored 24 goals and added 15 assists in 17 games, and second-team attack Marrisa Trachtenberg, who scored 38 goals and added 15 assists in 17 games. Coach Danie Caro's team also includes second-team defender Beth Arikian, a senior and former all-conference midfielder on the Seawolves' women's soccer team.
Binghamton (0-12, 0-5) enters its third season as a program. Coach Sue Frost's team saw midfielder Lauren Wetherell earn second-team all-conference honors as a rookie a season ago.
The America East Championship will be held May 6 and 8 at the home field of the No. 1 seed.