America East newcomer UMBC is the preseason favorite to win the men's lacrosse conference title this year, according to the coaches' poll. The Retrievers received five of a possible seven first-place votes and 47 points overall to outdistance defending champion University at Albany, which had two first-place votes and 42 points.
University of Vermont (31 points) was chosen third, followed by Stony Brook University (28). Quinnipiac University (22), Binghamton University (15) and University of Hartford (11) rounded out the poll.
The top four teams in the conference will advance to the America East Championship with the winner of the tournament receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Championship.
UMBC, which joined America East in 22 sports last fall, was 7-6 last season, with wins over nationally-ranked North Carolina and Towson. The Retrievers are No. 16 (Lacrosse Magazine) and No. 19 (Face-Off Yearbook) in the preseason polls. Senior midfielder Franklin Berry has increased his point total each year, scoring 12 goals and adding five assists last season. Sophomore Andy Gallagher had 21 points in his first four collegiate games before suffering a torn ACL. He is expected to be at full strength this season. Classmate Brendan Mundorf had 22 goals last season, the fourth best total in UMBC's Division I history. Head coach Don Zimmerman may utilize a 1-2 punch in goal with juniors Kevin Cepelak and Rick Metcalf.
Retriever women ranked third in the women's lacrosse coach poll. The Retrievers were 10-9 overall last season and won the Northeast Conference Championship for the fifth time in six years. Coach Monica Yeakel lost only three players to graduation and returns a solid nucleus on defense in front of two rookie goalkeepers. Junior Stephanie Crouch, the 2002 Northeast Conference Rookie of the Year, leads the midfielders. Senior Jen Dragoni, the 2003 Northeast Conference Player of the Year, returns at attack after scoring 37 goals and adding 24 assists in 19 games. Sophomore Kelly Fiorani (37 goals, 10 assists in 19 games) and junior Lauren Hess (33 goals, eight assists in 19 games) also return.
