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 all eight first place votes for a total of 64 points.
WNEC returns eight starters from last year's 13-6 squad, including its top two scorers. Senior midfielder Kayte Devine, who led the WNEC attack with 63 goals last season earning first team all-NEWLA honors, along with 2004 Rookie of the Year Jessica Vogel and last season?s NEWLA Defensive Player of the year Erin Conn will look to secure WNEC?s third consecutive NEWLA title.
Worcester State also returns eight starters including 2006 NEWLA Offensive Player of the Year Ann Clark. Clark, a senior center who contributed 80 goals and 26 assists, will be joined by first team all league performer Shannon Feeley who scored 30 goals with 19 assists last season as a freshman.
2006 NEWLA Rookie of the Year Caitlyn Murphy will head the Lasell attack while first team all-NEWLA goalkeeper Noelle O?Leary returns for the Lasers.
2007 NEWLA Preseason Poll
| Team | 2006 NEWLA/Overall | 2006 NEWLA Finish | Points | |
| 1. | Western New England | 6-0/13-8 | 1st | 64 (8) |
| 2. | Worcester State | 5-1/9-6 | 2nd | 54 |
| 3. | Lasell | 4-2/7-8 | 3rd | 42 |
| 4. | Castleton | 3-3/5-7 | 4th | 41 |
| 5. | Elms | 1-4/2-11 | 5th | 36 |
| 6. | Emerson | 1-5/3-7 | 6th | 22 |
| 7. | Norwich | na | na | 18 |
| 8. | Thomas | 0-5/1-6 | 7th | 11 |
*The 2007 season will be Norwich's first of varsity competition.
Note: Points in are awarded in descending order with first-place votes (in parentheses) earning 8 points through eighth-place votes which are worth one point. Records shown are 2006 conference and overall records with last season?s regular season conference finish.
