January 26, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y. -The William Smith College lacrosse team is ranked seventh in Lacrosse Magazine's preseason coaches' poll. Reigning Division III champion Middlebury College was picked as the nation's top team, while fellow UCAA institution Hamilton College garnered the 10th spot.

The Herons finished the 2001 season as the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Champions with a 19-6 victory over Gettysburg College. William Smith posted a 15-2 record last year, including a 7-1 mark in the UCAA. The Herons return eight of their top-10 scorers from a squad that averaged 15.4 gpg last season. Second-team All-American Megan Shea (Mountain Lakes/Mountain Lakes, N.J.) leads William Smith's attack. She scored 49 goals and assisted on 28 others last season. Sophomore attacker Gretchen Lasda (West Genesee/Camillus, N.Y.) and sophomore midfielder Jackie Toner (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.) are also back with their 36 and 28 points, respectively.

Defensively, the Herons are led by junior Regional All-American Brigid Lynch (Manhasset/Manhasset, N.Y.). Lynch caused a team-high 34 turnovers, while scoring 14 goals and recording two assists. In goal, sophomore Rebecca Splain (Middlebury Union/Middlebury, Vt.) returns. In her first season, the goalkeeper started every game for William Smith, posting a goals against average of 6.37 and a save percentage .615.

The Herons return 22 letterwinners and open the season on March 12, against Washington College in Panama City, Fla.