Western New England Chosen as Preseason League Favorite
Western New England has been chosen as the women?s lacrosse preseason favorite of the New England Women?s Lacrosse Alliance in a vote conducted by the league?s coaches. The Golden Bears received six of seven first place votes for a total of 47 points.
WNEC returns nine starters from last year's 11-8 squad, including its top two scorers, junior attack player Audrey Kelton and senior midfielder Alyson Nowell. Kelton set a school record with 99 points (52 goals, 47 assists) while Nowell compiled 70 points (48-22). Both made the All-NEWLA First Team along with sophomore midfielder Katye Devine who was the NEWLA co-Rookie-of-the-Year after scoring 40 points (31-9). Also back are All-NEWLA Second Team honorees, senior defender Lindsey Burns and sophomore goalie Melissa who was fifth nationally in save percentage (.593).
Lasell, who will be led by Mandi Rapisardi the 2005 NEWLA Offensive Player of the Year, received one first place vote. Rapisardi led all of Division III with 75 goals and 18 assists last season. The Lasers did graduate anyone off last year?s 7-5 squad and have added depth.
Elms, who fell to WNEC in the 2005 NEWLA title game, returns eight starters including all-NEWLA first team senior goalkeeper Sheila Murphy and a trio of outstanding sophomores. Co-Rookie of the Year Caitlin Childs, co-Defensive Player of the Year Raemarie Josefiak and Lauren O?Donnell; all of whom were selected to the all-conference first team.
2006 NEWLA Preseason Poll
| Team | 2005 NEWLA/Overall | 2005 NEWLA Finish | Points | |
| 1. | Western New England | 6-0/11-8 | 1st | 47 (6) |
| 2. | Elms | 5-1/9-6 | 2nd | 38 |
| 3. | Lasell | 4-2/7-5 | 3rd | 35 (1) |
| 4. | Worcester State | 3-3/3-11 | 4th | 28 |
| 5. | Castleton State | 2-4/3-8 | 5th | 26 |
| 6. | Emerson | 1-5/1-7 | 6th | 14 |
| 7. | Thomas | 0-6/0-7 | 7th | 8 |
Note: Points in are awarded in descending order with first-place votes (in parentheses) earning 7 points through seventh-place votes which are worth one point. Records shown are 2005 conference and overall records with last season?s regular season conference finish.
