FAIRFAX, Va. – Coming off a record-tying season, the George Mason women's lacrosse team has once again been circled as a team to look out for.

For the second straight season, the Patriots were projected to finish fourth in the 2017 Atlantic 10 Conference Women's Lacrosse Coaches Preseason Poll. Mason received 74 points behind eight-time defending champ Massachusetts (98), Richmond (86) and Saint Joseph's (81). UMass, which reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament last year, garnered nine first-place votes while Richmond received one.

Mason went 12-5 in 2016 and tied the school record for most wins in a season. The Patriots finished in a three-way tie for second place with a 7-2 mark in the A-10 with Richmond and Saint Joseph's for their highest finishing since joining the league in 2014. The seven conference wins were the most in program history. The Patriots earned the No. 2 seed and made their second straight trip to the A-10 Tournament before falling to Richmond in the semifinals.

Head coach coach Jessy Morgan returns for her third season after guiding Mason to 22 wins and two A-10 Tournament appearances in her first two seasons. The 22 wins are the most in a two-year span in program history.

The Patriots begin the 2017 season on Feb. 18 against William & Mary in Williamsburg, Va. Mason's home opener is set for March 8 against Virginia Tech at George Mason Stadium.
 

	Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Massachusetts	98 (9)	(20-2; 9-0)
2. Richmond	86 (1)	(9-10; 3-6)
3. Saint Joseph's	81	(9-10; 7-6)
4. George Mason	74	(12-5; 7-2)
5. Duquesne	51	(9-8; 7-2)
6. Davidson	47	(8-9; 5-4)
7. La Salle	40	(5-11; 3-6)
8. George Washington	36	(4-13; 2-7)
9. St. Bonaventure	20	(3-14; 1-8)
10. VCU	17	(3-14; 1-8)