Women's Lacrosse Picked Fourth in MASCAC Preseason Poll

WESTFIELD, Mass. - The Worcester State University women's lacrosse team has been chosen to finish fourth in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, as the Preseason Poll was released by the conference on Tuesday evening.

Westfield State was chosen atop of the poll, receiving seven out of eight first place votes for 49 points. Framingham State was second, receiving the final first place vote and garnering 42 points. Bridgewater State was the only other team to top the Lancers, finishing in third in the poll. The complete results are listed below.

The Lancers went 4-3 in conference last year, but lost their two All-Conference First Teamers to graduation. However, All-Conference Second Team honoree Lauren Arbec (Fairhaven, Mass.) is back for her sophomore season. A defensive standout, Arbec was second in the conference in caused turnovers (37) and ninth in ground balls (46).

Sophomore Kelly Austin (Brimfield, Mass.) will be a key cog in Worcester State's offensive wheel this season, as she looks to build off a freshman campaign that saw her tally 24 goals and 18 assists for 42 points, third on the Lancers.

Also among a strong list of young players to watch is sophomore Coley Hayes (Norwood, Mass.). Hayes, a First Team All-Conference selection with the field hockey team in the fall, returns to the lacrosse team after tallying nine goals and four assists for Worcester State at midfield.

Backstopping the Lancers this season will be Chloe O'Brien (Sturbridge, Mass.) for the second straight season. She recorded 11 wins on the year, the fifth most by a goaltender in a season in program history, and second most among Worcester State rookies.

Worcester State opens its season in less than a week, as the Lancers host Roger Williams at Coughlin Field on Tuesday, February 26.