FAIRFAX, Va. – The George Mason women's lacrosse team was picked eighth overall in the Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll as announced by the league on Thursday.
 
The Patriots were picked to finish eighth in the preseason poll after earning 29 points. Richmond was picked to finish first with 91 points and four first-place votes while UMass (88 points, one first-place vote) and Saint Joseph's (87 points, four first-place votes) round out the top-three.
 
A season ago, the Patriots finished the season at 3-14, with two of those wins coming in conference play over St. Bonaventure and Revolutionary Rival George Washington to finish the season at ninth overall in the A-10.
 
"Our entire program Is excited for the start of the 2023 season. The focus from the beginning of off-season, which started in late August, through our latest practice as of this morning, has been on us," said head coach Kara Mupo.
 
The Patriots will play six non-league games before opening up A-10 play at Saint Joseph's on March 11. Mason will begin the 2023 season on Feb. 10 when it travels to Monmouth to take on the Hawks at 2 p.m.
 
"We are committed to holding true to the core values our student-athletes have chosen for our program, and showcasing the style of play they have diligently worked so hard on for the last several months," added Mupo. "We will continue to #AIMBIG and pave the way for the future of Mason Lacrosse." 
 
Atlantic 10 Preseason Poll

1. Richmond- 91 points (4)
2. Massachusetts- 88 points (1)
3. Saint Joseph's- 87 points (4)
4. Davidson- 72 points (1)
5. Duquesne- 54 points
6. VCU- 46 points
7. George Washington- 42 points
8. George Mason- 29 points
9. La Salle- 28 points
10. St. Bonaventure- 13 points