George Mason lacrosse was picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic 10, the choice was made by the leagues eight head coaches. Five-time defending league champion Massachusetts was picked to win the conference for the sixth straight season, while the Patriots were place ahead of La Salle, Saint Joseph's and St. Bonaventure.
Mason will begin its inaugural A-10 lacrosse season when the Patriots host Longwood Feb. 19th, conference play begins April 6th at St. Bonaventure.
The Patriots lost eight letter winners from the 2013 campaign. However, they return five starters including the team's second leading scorer in senior Rachel Obergon and welcome eight newcomers.
The Minutewomen, who have earned four berths in the NCAA Tournament during their record run of A-10 titles, earned 63 total points and seven first-place votes in the poll. Last season, UMass went 7-0 in league play and 18-3 overall and advanced to the Second-Round of the NCAA Tournament. Returning A-10 Offensive Player of the Year Katie Ferris is back in the mix for UMass. The senior All-American registered 52 goals and 23 assists for a total of 75 points in 2013. Fellow All-American Kelsey McGovern anchors the Minutewomen defense. The senior was named First-Team All Atlantic 10 last season after grabbing 110 draw controls, forcing 39 turnovers and picking up 38 groundballs in 2013.
Duquesne garnered the final first place vote and a total of 54 points to finish second in the poll. Duquesne is coming off a 2013 season in which they went 11-7 and advanced to the A-10 Championship game before falling to UMass. Reigning A-10 Defensive Player of the Year Kristen Gregory will be back in the cage for the Dukes in 2014. Gregory allowed just 9.52 goals per game last season, making 137 saves and posting a .437 save percentage.
George Washington was slotted third in the poll with 44 points, just two points ahead of Richmond which received 42 points. The Colonials went 9-8 last season overall and 4-3 in league play. Second-Team All-Conference Jamie Bumgardner returns for GW following a 2013 campaign in which she scored 18 goals and dished out 39 assists for a total of 57 points.
Following the Spiders in fifth-place was the A-10's newest member George Mason (26 pts.), La Salle (25 pts.), Saint Joseph (25 pts.) and St. Bonaventure (11 pts.).
The 2014 Atlantic 10 Championship will be held at Robins Stadium on the campus of the University of Richmond from May 2-4.
2014 Atlantic 10 Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1 . Massachusetts 63 (7)
2. Duquesne 54 (1)
3. George Washington 44
4. Richmond 42
5. George Mason 26
6. La Salle 25
7. Saint Joseph's 25
8. St. Bonaventure 11
