Women's Lacrosse Picked Fifth in PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll

March 23, 2006

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Shippensburg University women's lacrosse team was picked to finish fifth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) preseason coaches' poll as voted on by the league's coaches it was announced by the conference office on Thursday. West Chester University, the two-time defending conference champion was chosen to win this year's title.

Lock Haven University, who is coming off one of its best-ever seasons in school history after going 14-5 and earning PSAC and NCAA postseason berths, was picked to finish second, followed by Millersville University, Bloomsburg University and Shippensburg. East Stroudsburg was chosen sixth and Indiana University (Pa.) was seventh.

Last season was one of rebuilding for the Lady Raiders and despite only one victory, the Lady Raiders showed very strong promise for the future, losing four of its last seven games by four goals or less, including the final two by just one. All but two starters return from last year's team including its two leading scorers in senior Kim Hudicka (Media, Pa./Penncrest) and senior Cristin Marron (Exton, Pa./Villa Maria Academy).

Sophomore Brita Paul (Salisbury, Md./James Bennett), who led the team in assists with 12, also returns as the team's top playmaker as does senior Kaitlin Keene (Baltimore, Md./Seton Keough) who was chosen IWLCA South All-Region Second Team. Under Keene's leadership, the defense will rely on the experience of four seniors in Keene, Michelle Mangle (Philadelphia, Pa./St. Hubert Catholic), Sarah Beecher (Sellersville, Pa./Pennridge) and Joanna Cole (New Freedom, Pa./York Catholic).

Conference play begins today and the double-round robin format will run through April 29. The top four teams qualify for the PSAC tournament with the semifinals scheduled for May 2 and the championship game May 6.

2006 Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. West Chester
2. Lock Haven
3. Millersville
4. Bloomsburg
5. Shippensburg
6. East Stroudsburg
7. Indiana (Pa.)

- Lady Raider Lacrosse -