ECC RELEASE

WEST BABYLON, N.Y. – The sixth-ranked LIU Post women's lacrosse team will look to extend its streak of three consecutive East Coast Conference titles this year, and have been chosen by league coaches as the favorite to bring home the hardware once again in 2018 the league office announced Jan. 23.
 
The Pioneers received five first-place votes by conference coaches in the poll, earning 77 total points as the preseason favorites. Mercy College (3) and New York Institute of Technology (1) also received first-place votes to round out the top three positions.
 
The Green and Gold finished its 2017 campaign with a 16-3 overall record, and a perfect 11-0 record against ECC opponents including postseason matchups. The Pioneers reached the NCAA Division II Championship second round before dropping a defensive battle with Le Moyne College.
 
Earlier this month, the Pioneers earned the number six ranking in the Nike/US Lacrosse Division II preseason poll, the highest ranked ECC team in the season's first poll. It will be a tough battle for the Green and Gold however, as the 2018 slate features seven teams that appeared in last season's NCAA Division II Tournament.
 
On an individual level, senior Olivia Kirk was also voted the ECC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by the league's coaches. The First Team All-American Kirk was named the 2017 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association C. Markland Kelly Goalkeeper of the Year for the second straight season after leading the nation with a .543 save percentage, while ranking fourth with a 6.42 goals-against average.
 
 The Pioneers open the season on Saturday, Feb. 24 when they host Southern New Hampshire University inside Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium at 11:00 a.m.

 

2018 ECC Preseason Poll
1.	LIU Post (5)
2.	Mercy College (3)
3.	New York Institute of Technology (1)
4.	Molloy College
5.	Roberts Wesleyan College
6.	St. Thomas Aquinas College
7.	University of Bridgeport
8.	Queens College
9.	University of the District of Columbia