Feb. 3, 2005

TOWSON, Md. - Inside Lacrosse magazine released its preseason women's lacrosse rankings and all-America teams Tuesday (Feb. 2). Six Colonial Athletic Association teams were ranked in the Top-20, including George Mason, which is listed 19th. Five conference players also received all-America recognition from the magazine. Mason's highest preseason ranking this season is 16th from Lacrosse Magazine.

Topping the Top-20 for the CAA was James Madison at #11. Towson wasn't far behind at No. 12 followed by #14 William & Mary, No. 15 Delaware, #18 Hofstra and #19 George Mason.

The all-America list and preseason rankings are compiled by Inside Lacrosse magazine. Published 11 times annually in Towson, Md., Inside Lacrosse is the leading publication on the sport of lacrosse, with subscribers in all 50 states and eight foreign countries.

The all-America lists, along with team profiles, player profiles and season previews, will be available in the women's preview issue of Inside Lacrosse, which will hit newsstands in early February.

The Patriots will play 11 teams ranked in the preseason poll, including defending champion and No. 1 Virginia at George Mason Stadium. Overall, there are five teams on Mason's 2005 schedule ranked in the preseason top 10.

George Mason enters the 2005 season with 9 starters and 17 letterwinners returning from a team that finished 7-10 overall last season and advanced to the CAA Tournament for the 11th straight year with a 4-3 mark. The Patriots finished the season ranked 19th in the final Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) and InsideLacrosse.com polls.

Inside Lacrosse magazine 2005 Preseason Women's Lacrosse Rankings
(underlined teams will face the Patriots in 2005)
1. Virginia
2. Princeton
3. Northwestern
4. Duke
5. Georgetown
6. North Carolina
7. Hopkins
8. Maryland
9. Loyola
10 Dartmouth
11. James Madison
12. Towson
13. Syracuse
14. William & Mary
15. Delaware
16. Notre Dame
17. UNH
18. Hofstra
19. George Mason
20. Boston University