RICHMOND, Va. - With the 2023 women's lacrosse season just a couple of weeks away, the Colonial Athletic Association released its Preseason Poll on Wednesday. The Seawolves were unanimously picked to finish first based on a vote by the league's eight head coaches.

Stony Brook came in first in the poll with a total of 49 points and all seven rival head coaches gave the Seawolves their first-place vote. Towson was picked to finish right behind Stony Brook, earning a total of 43 points and one first-place vote. Drexel, the league's defending champion, came in third in the preseason poll with 35 points, followed by Hofstra with 30 points.

Delaware, Monmouth, Elon, and William & Mary rounded out the poll, respectively.

The conference also announced its 2023 Preseason All-CAA selections, with five Seawolves garnering honors.

Junior midfielder Ellie Masera was named the 2023 Preseason CAA Player of the Year. In Stony Brook's final season in the America East last year, Masera earned America East Midfielder of the Year. She is coming off a season where she was the first underclassman in Stony Brook's program history to be named an All-American. 

Masera led the team in points (87) and goals (67) last year and she ranked top 25 in the country in goals per game (17th) and points per game (25th). 

Senior attack Kailyn Hart, the 2022 America East Attacker of the Year, landed on the Preseason All-CAA Team, along with junior defender Clare Levy and Masera.

Graduate defender Haley Dillon and junior midfielder Jaden Hampel were tabbed as Preseason All-CAA honorable mentions.

Stony Brook gets the 2023 season underway on Saturday, February 17, when it hosts No. 18 Michigan at 4 p.m. The upcoming schedule is highlighted by five games against preseason top 25 teams: No. 18 Michigan, No. 9 Stanford, at No. 5 Northwestern, at No. 6 Syracuse, and at No. 7 Rutgers. 

Stony Brook will open CAA play for the first time in program history against Delaware on March 18.

2023 Colonial Athletic Association Preseason Poll
1. Stony Brook – 49 (7)
2. Towson – 43 (1)                                     
3. Drexel – 35
4. Hofstra – 30
5. Delaware – 25
6. Monmouth – 21
7. Elon – 13
8. William & Mary - 8

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