PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Eastern Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team sits atop the 2008 Little East Conference women's lacrosse preseason coaches' poll, released this afternoon by the conference office. The Warriors earned all six possible first place votes for 36 total points. Plymouth State University edged Keene State College by a single vote for the second position in the annual poll.

All seven head coaches in the Little East Conference cast a vote, but could not select their own squads. TheOwls received the final first place ballot.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Christine Hutchison, Eastern Connecticut State University recorded the program's second Little East Conference Championship Tournament title last season, earning the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament. The 2007 Warriors posted a 13-6 overall record, including an unblemished 6-0 mark in the conference circuit. Eastern Connecticut welcomes back three all-conference recipients from last spring, including first-team senior attacker Lily Anderson (Portland, Maine). The Warriors travel to in-state rival Wesleyan University at 4 p.m. on March 7 for their 2008 season-opener.

Plymouth State University has earned a postseason appearance the past eight campaigns, including winning the 2007 ECAC New England Tournament. Last season, Head Coach Abi Jackson led the Panthers to 14-5 overall record, finishing second in the Little East Conference at 5-1. Sophomore attacker Taylor Cambal (West Yarmouth, Mass.) is Plymouth State's top returning scorer, registering 32 points (28-5) during her freshman campaign, and will lead a young offensive attack. The Panthers take the pitch at 3 p.m. on March 7 at Babson College.

Keene State College finished last season ranked third in the final Little East Conference standings with a 4-2 record to earn the No.3 seed in the conference tournament. Head Coach Michelle Mason and her Owls fell in to the semifinal round of the Little East Conference Tournament to the Panthers, marking their sixth semifinal appearance. Keene State returns two of its top three scorers from 2007, while also sporting all-conference, second-team backstop Jen Gearing (Westfield, Mass.). The Owls host Endicott College at 5 p.m. on March 5 in their season-opener.

UMass Dartmouth (18), the University of Southern Maine (15), and Rhode Island College (14) are just separated by four points in the second tier of the conference standings. Western Connecticut State University completes the seven-team field with nine points.

2008 Little East Conference Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll

Eastern Connecticut (6), 36 pts.
Plymouth State, 28 pts.
Keene State College (1), 27 pts.
UMass Dartmouth, 18 pts.
Southern Maine, 15 pts.
Rhode Island College, 14 pts.
Western Connecticut, 9 pts.

                                                            -jph-