UB Checks In At Number Five In ECC Preseason Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll

West Babylon, N.Y. – Mercy College, the reigning East Coast Conference women's lacrosse champions, were overwhelmingly selected as the favorite to claim the 2020 title in the league's preseason coaches' poll. In addition, New York Tech senior Shannon Donovan (Kings Park, N.Y.) was named the conference's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, while Molloy junior Kaitlyn Meyer (Seaford, N.Y.) was selected the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.   

After winning their first-ever ECC Championship a season ago, Mercy earned six of seven first-place votes to top the poll with 47 points. The Mavericks also begin the season ranked No. 10 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division II Preseason Poll, announced yesterday.

The Mavericks have reason for optimism heading into the 2020 campaign despite having to deal with the graduation of Hunter Isnardi, Division II's all-time leading goal scorer. All-Region honorees, Katherine Sanchez and Micayla Brady, as well as All-Conference picks, Brianna Corace, Casey Shimborske, and Senna Tadfie are all back this season. The Mavericks also get a boost with the return of 2018 ECC Defender of the Year and First Team All-American, Talia Stagnitta, whose 2019 season was cut short by injury.

New York Tech received the final first-place vote and comes in second in the poll with 43 points. Like Mercy, the Bears begin the year in the IWLCA Top 25, coming in at No. 22. Next in the poll is Molloy at No. 3 with 33 points, while Roberts Wesleyan rounds out the expected ECC Championship participants at No. 4 with 29 points.

Donovan claims the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honor after an outstanding junior campaign. She led the Bears and ranked sixth in the ECC with 58 goals while adding five assists to total 63 points for the year. In addition, she tallied 33 ground balls and 20 caused turnovers. Her effort landed her a spot on the ECC All-Conference First Team, the second All-Conference honor of her career.

Meyer joined Donovan on the All-Conference First Team after a stellar performance on Molloy's backline. She ranked among the conference leaders for the second straight season by finishing fourth in the ECC with 31 caused turnovers. Meyer ranked just outside the league's top-10 with 38 ground balls, as well. She also contributed four goals and one assist on the season.

The Purple Knights, under the direction of new head coach Taylor Martin, are slated to open the 2020 season at home on Saturday, February 22 when they host Kutztown University at 1:00 p.m.

2020 ECC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll

() - first place votes

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year:  Shannon Donovan, Sr., A, New York Tech
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:  Kaitlyn Meyer, Jr., D, Molloy