Women's Lacrosse Tops ECC Preseason Poll; Donaldson Named Defensive Player of the Year
CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (Feb. 9, 2012) - The C.W. Post Pioneers women's lacrosse team has been selected to take home the East Coast Conference title in 2012 in a vote by the conference's coaches. In addition C.W. Post senior
Chelsea Donaldson (Bay Shore, N.Y.) takes home the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honor.
With seven first place votes and 79 total points, C.W. Post claims the top spot on the 2012 poll. Last season, the Pioneers run of five straight appearances in the Division II Final Four came to an end despite finishing with a 13-4 record overall. With nine starters back that include four IWLCA All-Americans and eight ECC All-Conference selections, C.W. Post begins the season ranked No. 5 in the IWLCA Preseason National Poll.
Dowling, last season's ECC Champions who are fresh off their first ever berth in the NCAA Tournament, garnered the final two first place votes to come in second in the poll. Dowling finished their 2011 campaign with an overall record of 15-3. Molloy, who compiled a record of 11-5 a season ago, rounds out the top three.
Senior
Chelsea Donaldson of C.W. Post has been named the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive season. Donaldson didn't disappoint after earning the preseason honor a year ago, posting a team-leading 21 caused turnovers. She also finished second on the squad with 38 ground balls. Donaldson saw plenty of accolades come her way after an outstanding season, including being named to the IWLCA, USACollegeLacrosse.com, and Synapse Sports All-America teams, in addition to earning a spot on the ECC All-Conference First Team for the second straight year.
Dowling senior Brooke Witkowski (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) was named the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
2012 East Coast Conference Preseason Poll
School Points
1. C.W. Post (7) 79
2. Dowling (2) 74
3. Molloy 61
4. Mercy 51
5. Queens 45
6. Seton Hill 38
7. St. Thomas Aquinas 25
8. Lake Erie 19
9. Bridgeport 13
Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Brooke Witkowski, Sr., ATT, Dowling
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year:
Chelsea Donaldson, Sr., DEF, C.W. Post