GRAND LAKE, Colo. -- Salisbury begins the season where it ended last year, atop the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association top 20 poll, the organization announced on Monday.
Salisbury enters the 2014 campaign on a 23-game winning streak after capping a perfect season last year with the program's second national title. The Sea Gulls avenged their loss to Trinity (Conn.) from 2011 in the championship with a 12-5 victory last season to bring another trophy back to Salisbury.Trinity begins the season ranked No. 2, with national semifinalists Middlebury and Cortland State ranked No. 3 and No. 4, respectively. Franklin & Marshall rounds out the top five.
The Capital Athletic Conference is represented by three of its member institutions, with Salisbury, No. 11 York (Pa.) and No. 16 Christopher Newport ranked heading into the season.
With two-time Goalie of the Year and All-American Ashton Wheatley along with All-American's Bethany Baer and Meghan Toomey returning for another season, the Sea Gulls work to defend the title.
As part of its title defense, Salisbury will face eight opponents ranked in the top 20. The Sea Gulls will face Trinity, Cortland State, Franklin & Marshall, No. 7 TCNJ, No. 9 Colby, York, Christopher Newport and No. 19 Stevenson.
Three-time National Coach of the Year Jim Nestor and the team begin the 2014 schedule Feb. 16 against Roanoke.
