February 5, 2012

The Virginia women's lacrosse team was ranked No. 10 in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Preseason Poll released this weekend. The Cavaliers are one of four ACC teams included in the top 10 behind favorite Northwestern.

Maryland was picked to finish second, followed by North Carolina, Florida and Duke. Boston College was three spots behind Virginia at No. 13.

"The ACC is gonna be as awesome as ever," said UVa coach Julie Myers. "I think the great part about being in it, it's the program everyone talks about, the hard part is we have to beat up on each other. We're happy to be a part of it but it's going to be a dogfight."

Virginia finished 9-9 last season and made their 16th straight NCAA tournament appearance.

The women open the season with three straight home games beginning Saturday Feburary 18 at 2:30 p.m. against Loyola (Md.).

IWLCA Division I Preseason Poll

1. Northwestern
2. Maryland
3. North Carolina
4. Florida
5. Duke
6. Stanford,
7. Loyola
8. Princeton
9. James Madison
10. Virginia
11. Pennsylvania
12. Syracuse
13. Boston College
14. Dartmouth
15. Georgetown
16. Albany
17. Penn State
18. Ohio State
19. Vanderbilt
20. Notre Dame