The Preseason Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Poll:
1. Maryland: The four-time defending national champs started last season at No. 1, but dropped off after opening with losses to Duke and North Carolina. It was a tough start for a team with many young players, but the Terps rose steadily back to the top. This year's team is battle-tested and ready to take on a tough field.
10. Georgetown: The Hoyas (9-7) are still young with only six players who are not sophomores or freshmen. They made their first trip to the NCAA tournament, falling to Princeton by one in overtime. Key returnees: A Sheehan Stanwick (53, 13), M Kristen Baer and D Beth Doty.
11. George Mason: The Patriots (8-7) posted the most wins and the first winning season in school history and they graduated only one player. Key returnees: A Liz Paoli (35, five), M Candace Cummings and G Bettina Guevara.
12. William & Mary: After failing to post a winning record for the first time in 12 seasons, the Tribe (8-8) returns 22 players. However, it does not return coach Feffie Barnhill, who retired. Key returnees: A Dani Vissers (21, 12), M Mary Beth Noel (24, 12) and D Stuart Cawthorn.
13. Temple: The Ovchinnikoff era is over as All-America twins Claudia and Alex have graduated -- along with many others. The Owls (14-5) have 13 freshmen. Key returnees: M Nicole Ross (35, 4), D Amy Stein and G Iris Alvarado.
14. Syracuse: After opening with a loss to Maryland, Syracuse went on to a 9-4 record. Every starter is back. Key returnees: A Katrina Hable (35, 11), M Jenna Szyluk (37, 11) and D Erin Boyle.
15. Rutgers: Coming off a 13-5 season, the Scarlet Knights bring back nine starters who hope to battle Penn State for the ECAC title. Key returnees: A Amanda Mazzarella, D Regan Teti and D Nadia Rogala.
16. Delaware: The Blue Hens (14-4) return seven starters from a team that won the America East regular-season and tournament titles. Key returnees: A Amy Sullivan (33, 21), A Christy Buck and A Karen Hunt.
17. Boston University: The Terriers (8-7) won nine of their last seven games and bring back 90 percent of their scoring. Key returnees: America East Rookie of the Year, A Chrissy Lombard (44, 12), A Jen Manning (44, 29) and M Jean Cooney.
18. Yale: With its three top scorers and starting goalie all returning, Yale (12-4) is looking to give Dartmouth and Princeton a run for the Ivy League title. Key returnees: G Alison Cole, A Heather Bentley (53 goals) and A Alyssa Chen.
19. Brown: The Bears (6-8) lost four games by one goal. They bring back eight starters for new coach Theresa Ingram. Key returnees: M Amanda Hatton, A Keely McDonald and D Elizabeth Rodgers.
20. Massachusetts: UMass embarks on the first season of Atlantic 10 Conference play with nine returning starters. Key returnees: A Laura Korutz (32, 9), D Lynne Young and M Melissa Anderson.
Also receiving votes: Old Dominion, Cornell, Towson, Harvard, Vanderbilt.
Pub Date: 3/02/99