Seahawks picked seventh in preseason poll

NEWPORT, R.I. - The Salve Regina women's lacrosse team has been picked to finish seventh in the Commonwealth Coast Conference as selected by the league's head coaches in the annual preseason poll. 

Western New England University has been selected as the favorite to win the 2014 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) women's lacrosse championship after receiving five first place votes and a total of 76 points in the CCC preseason coaches' poll. Endicott College, the eight-time defending champion, placed second after garnering the remaining four first place votes and a total of 75 points. Gordon College claimed third with 60 points, while the Curry College was slated fourth after receiving 49 points to round out the top billing.

"After a snowy and cold February, our team is ready to start competing with the addition of six new players and a talented returning core," remarked head coach Jennifer Foster on her 2014 team. "Our four seniors are the backbone of our team and with their leadership on and off the field, this team's potential is limitless.

Coach Foster is set to begin her eighth season at the helm of the women's lacrosse program. After graduating just three players last season, the Seahawks return experienced depth to the field.  Leading the team this year will be a pair of senior captains, Grace Kelly and Karley Malenczak. Kelly was tied for third on the team last year with 24 points (12 G, 12 A). Returning on offense for SRU is Gina Totorici, who was second on the team in points with 37 (26 G, 11 A) in 2013. Sarah Woods returns on defense with 47 draw controls last year and had a team-lead 16 caused turnovers. In the net for the Seahawks will be Josephine O'Reilly, who made 130 saves last season in 769:09 minutes in the net.

Salve Regina is set to open its season tomorrow as the Seahawks travel to Wheaton (Mass.) for a 3 p.m. start.