Women's Lacrosse Cited As Team To Beat In ECC Preseason Poll; Passafiume, Williams Receive Top Honors
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Feb. 12, 2010) – The C.W. Post women's lacrosse team received six first-place votes as the top team in the East Coast Conference preseason poll. In addition, senior attacker Staci Passafiume (Port Jefferson, N.Y.) was named Offensive Player of the Year and senior defender Kim Williams (Long Valley, N.J.) was voted Defensive Player of the Year by the conference coaches.
With six first place votes and 61 total points, C.W. Post fills the top spot on the 2010 Poll. In 2009, the Pioneers put forward a successful campaign in which they amassed a 16-3 overall record and gained a berth to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight year. After defeating New Haven, 16-7, C.W. Post fell to North Region foe and eventual National Champion, Adelphi, 15-10.
Dowling College was second in the poll with two first-place votes, followed by Molloy College and St. Thomas Aquinas. Rounding out the poll are ECC newcomers Seton Hill, Mercy College, Queens College and Lake Erie.
A senior captain this year, Passafiume was selected to the 2009 IWLCA and womenslacrosse.com All-America Second Team as well as IWLCA All-North Region First Team. The two-time ECC All-Conference pick amassed 75 points on 31 goals and 44 assists in 2009 as well as 33 ground balls 8 draw controls and 14 caused turnovers.
Williams, a two-year captain, is also a two-time IWLCA and womenslacrosse.com All-America First Team selection and was the 2008 IWLCA Defender of the Year. A two-time All-ECC First Teamer, she totaled 48 groundballs, 20 draw controls and 21 caused turnovers as well as contributing one goal and two assists during the 2009 season.
C.W. Post opens its season March 13 hosting Southern New Hampshire University on Hickox Field.
2010 East Coast Conference Pre-Season Poll
School Points
1. C.W. Post (6) 61
2. Dowling (2) 56
3. Molloy 50
4. St. Thomas Aquinas 32
5. Seton Hill 30
6. Mercy 25
7. Queens 21
8. Lake Erie 13
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
Kim Williams, Sr., DEF, C.W. Post