Albion College is expected to finish in the top half of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's lacrosse standings according to a poll of the league coaches released Thursday afternoon.
The Britons, who finished second in the MIAA a year ago, have been picked to finish fourth this season.
Albion begins the season with a pair of all-MIAA performers returning to the roster. Goalkeeper Jenina Villabroza, a junior from Glendale, Calif., was a first team pick last season after leading the MIAA with a .562 save percentage. Darcy Muns, a junior captain from Lake Orion, Mich., produced 18 goals and six assists to achieve all-MIAA status last season.
Calvin College, the league champion the last two years, has been tabbed as the preseason favorite. The Knights were picked to finish first by seven of the league coaches.
Hope College and Saint Mary's College split the other votes to finish first in the MIAA.
Albion's first contest is a Feb. 16 date against Carthage College at Detroit Country Day School. The Britons will play on campus for the first time March 24 when they play host to Illinois Wesleyan University.
MIAA competition begins March 30 when Albion travels to Angola, Ind., for a showdown with Trine University. Albion's home dates against MIAA rivals includes April 2 (vs. Adrian College), April 6 (vs. Calvin), April 13 (vs. Olivet College) and April 20 (vs. Hope).
The complete MIAA preseason poll with first place votes included in parenthesis is listed below.
- Calvin (7) 63 points
- Hope (1) 52 points
- Saint Mary's (1) 49 points
- ALBION 47 points
- Kalamazoo 37 points
- Trine 27 points
- Alma 21 points
- Adrian 20 points
- Olivet 8 points
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