Bridgewater State Chosen as Preseason League Favorite
Two-time defending champion Bridgewater State was selected 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 Bears received seven first place votes for a total of 63 points. Bridgewater State, one of only two institutions to have won a NEWLA championship since 1998, returns eleven starters including the 2009 NEWLA Defensive Player of the Year of the Year Erin Quimby and 2008 NEWLA Offensive Player of the Year Shannon Manning.
Castleton, which finished 6-1 in league play a season ago received one first place votes and 56 points. The Spartans return eight starters including 2009 Offensive Player of the Year Marie VanDerKar as well as first-team all-conference selection and NEWLA Academic Scholar-Athlete of the Year Nicole Adams.
2010 NEWLA Coaches Poll
- Bridgewater State - 63 (7)
- Castleton - 56 (1)
- Westfield State - 48
- Worcester State - 37
- Fitchburg State - 31
- Framingham State - 28
- Becler - 16
- Elms - 9
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. This is Framingham State’s first season with the conference. They competed as an independent in 2009.
