ANNVILLE, Pa. (Women’ Lacrosse) – The Messiah Falcons were selected as the favorite in the 2017 conference preseason poll conducted among the Middle Atlantic Conference Commonwealth (MAC Commonwealth) women’s lacrosse coaches. The Falcons received seven of nine first-place votes and 63 points.
In 2016, Messiah won its second-straight MAC Commonwealth title to advance to its sixth all-time appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship. The Falcons concluded their season in the first round of the national tournament at Catholic. Messiah earned its second-straight undefeated conference slate, fourth under current head coach Heather Greer, in 2016. The Falcons look to collect their third-straight conference title and sixth overall in 2017. Messiah has three Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) titles prior to the conference splitting into two in 2012.
Stevenson collected 57 points and the other two first-place votes to be ranked second. The Mustangs earned the second-seed in the 2016 conference tournament, falling at Messiah in the title game.
Lebanon Valley earned 48 points to rank third, and Albright collected 43 points to rank fourth. The Dutchmen and Lions earned the third and fourth seeds, respectively, in last year’s conference tournament, both falling in the semifinal round.
Lycoming received 39 points to round out the top-five. The Warriors fell to Albright in the 2016 conference tournament play-in game by a close 16-15 margin.
The rest of the poll, in respective order, included Alvernia (23 points), Widener (22 points), Arcadia (20 points) and Hood (9 points).
The Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division III Preseason Poll was also announced today. The Messiah Falcons were ranked No. 17, receiving 87 points. The Falcons ranked No. 18 in the final IWLCA poll in 2016.
The 2017 MAC Commonwealth Preseason Poll and 2016 final standings can be viewed below.
| 2017 MAC Commonwealth Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll |
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| Rank |
Team |
Points |
(1st Place Votes) |
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| 1 |
Messiah |
63 |
(7) |
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| 2 |
Stevenson |
57 |
(2) |
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| 3 |
Lebanon Valley |
48 |
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| 4 |
Albright |
43 |
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| 5 |
Lycoming |
39 |
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| 6 |
Alvernia |
23 |
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| 7 |
Widener |
22 |
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| 8 |
Arcadia |
20 |
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| 9 |
Hood |
9 |
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2016 MAC Commonwealth Women's Lacrosse Final Standings
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| Finish |
Team |
Conf. |
Overall |
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| 1 |
Messiah |
8-0 |
14-6 |
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| 2 |
Stevenson |
7-1 |
10-9 |
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| 3 |
Lebanon Valley |
6-2 |
11-8 |
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| 4 |
Albright |
5-3 |
11-7 |
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| 5 |
Lycoming |
4-4 |
12-5 |
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| T6 |
Alvernia |
2-6 |
6-9 |
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| T6 |
Arcadia |
2-6 |
6-10 |
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| T6 |
Widener |
2-6 |
6-10 |
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| 9 |
Hood |
0-8 |
4-13 |
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