Jan. 26, 2017
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Thursday afternoon the BIG EAST released its preseason poll picked by the league’s head coaches. The Vanderbilt Commodores were picked to finish seventh in the conference while earning one first place vote. Two-time reigning conference champions Florida were picked to win the league in 2017.
Vanderbilt finished 5-11 last season and went 1-6 in conference play. The `Dores return senior goaltender Callahan Kent, who was name to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
Kent, a native of Norwell, Mass., started all 960 minutes in the cage for the Commodores last season. She set a career-high in saves with 156, which was fourth in the nation. Kent had eight games with double-digit saves and eight games with less than 10 goals allowed. Kent’s breakout junior season earned her a spot on the Second Team All-BIG EAST.
The Commodores season opener is just over two weeks away. The `Dores will take on Kennesaw State at home on February 11 at 1pm CT.
BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll
- Florida – 81 points (9 first-place votes)
- Connecticut – 68
- Georgetown – 63
- Denver – 55
- Temple – 45
- Marquette – 41
- Vanderbilt – 40 (1 first-place vote)
- Villanova – 31
- Cincinnati – 17
- Butler – 9
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Taylor Bresnahan, Florida
Sammi Burgess, Florida*
Cassie Eckstrom, Connecticut
Caroline Fitzgerald, Florida*
Morgan Glassford, Temple*
Callahan Kent, Vanderbilt
Allison Lane, Marquette*
Brenda McDermott, Temple
Nicole Martindale, Denver
Grace Nolan, Connecticut*
Shayna Pirreca, Florida
Lindsey Ronbeck, Florida*
Julianna Schearer, Marquette
Mollie Stevens, Florida
Francesca Whitehurst, Georgetown*
Preseason Co-Offensive Players of the Year
Sammi Burgess, Florida
Lindsey Ronbeck, Florida
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Caroline Fitzgerald, Florida*
*unanimous selection