BOSTON—Defending America East champion Boston University is the unanimous preseason favorite to repeat as the women's lacrosse conference champion this year, according to a vote of the women's lacrosse head coaches. The Terriers received all seven first-place votes and 49 points for a unanimous decision. The 2005 America East Championship runner-up University of New Hampshire, which garnered 38 total points, was chosen second.Complete Poll
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) was third with 36 points, followed by Stony Brook University (28), University of Vermont (20), University at Albany (17) and Binghamton University (11) 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 (18-2 overall, 6-0 America East in 2005) was recently chosen third by Lacrosse Magazine in the publication's 2006 preseason top 20 poll. Nine of 12 starters return for coach Liza Kelly from last season's squad that reached the NCAA quarterfinals. Key returners for the Terriers are senior midfielder Lindsay Lewis (43 goals, 10 assists, 52 points), sophomore attacker Jenny Hauser (54 goals, 70 points, 16 assists) and senior Danica Strutt, who led the nationally ranked defense that allowed a mere 7.0 goals per game. As a team, the Terriers return seven America East All-Conference selections and six players who tallied 34 points or more last spring.
New Hampshire (11-8, 5-1) returns top senior attackers Katie Leland (51 goals, 21 assists, 72 points) and Kristin Blanchette (33 goals, 13 assists, 46 points), junior defender Christine Carbone, a first-team all-conference selection, and sophomore Moira Talbot. Leland was a first team all-conference selection and ranked second in the league in scoring with 2.68 goals per game and in points per game with 3.79. The Wildcats have made a league-record eight consecutive appearances in the America East Championship and advanced to the title game each of the past four years.
UMBC (5-10, 3-3) finished fourth last season after being knocked out in the semifinals by Boston U. The Retrievers welcome first-year head coach Courtney Connor, a former five-time NCAA Champion and 2001 NCAA Tournament MVP. Returning for UMBC are all-rookie selection Ali Levendusky and sophomore Kelly Fiorani.
Stony Brook (8-7, 2-4) also welcomes a new coach this season, Allison Comito, a two-time All-American at the University of Maryland. The Seawolves return first-team all-conference junior Carlee Buck and second-team selections Amy Taylor and Danielle Warner. Buck led the nation in assists per game last season with 2.8 apg. Stony Brook will add six new players to the roster this season.
Vermont (4-11, 1-5) finished sixth last season. Head coach Jennifer Johnson returns seven starters, including juniors Becky Kenison (21 goals, four assists) and Ashleigh Wilson (16 goals, 1 assist). Johnson also signed 12 newcomers as she begins to build the Catmount program.
Albany (6-12, 4-2) will be led by junior midfielder Kate Fontana, who finished last season with a team-high 49 points and 62 ground balls. Also returning to the Great Danes are senior midfielder Krissy Rajczak and junior attacker Sarah Spillett. Albany welcomes first year head coach Lindsey Hart, former Ohio University standout.
Binghamton (3-12, 0-6) head coach Emily Edmonston will have a young team this season, bringing back only one senior to the lineup. The Bearcats finished the 2005 campaign ranked second in the conference in ground balls per game and third in both assists and shooting percentage.
The America East Championship will be held May 5 and 7 at the home field of the No. 1 seed.