Feb. 1, 2010

Center Valley, Pa.—With the start of the men’s lacrosse season on the horizon, the 2010 preseason polls have been released. Patriot League preseason favorite Navy was voted 11th in both the USILA Coaches’ Poll and the Nike/Inside Lacrosse Media Poll. Also ranked in both polls was Bucknell, which was voted 19th in each set of rankings. Colgate was tabbed 20th in the coaches’ poll while also receiving votes in the media rankings. Though unranked, Army received votes in both polls.

Navy enters the 2010 season as the Patriot League’s preseason favorite after receiving 11 of 14 first-place votes in a tally of the League’s coaches and sports information directors. The Mids won their fifth Patriot League Championship in 2009, advancing to the NCAA Tournament. Senior Jaren Woeppel was tabbed the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and returns to anchor the Navy defense.

Austin Winter, who has 94 career assists, is back to lead the Bucknell attack. Winter was named the Patriot League Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The Bison are coming off a 2009 Patriot League campaign during which they finished with a perfect 6-0 regular season mark. In addition to Winter, Bucknell also returns the services of Patriot League Rookie of the Year Charlie Streep.

Colgate was picked third in the 2010 Patriot League Preseason Poll after finishing with a 5-1 Patriot League mark a year ago. Tim Harrington, who made 9.80 saves per game as a junior, is back in goal for the Raiders. He will have the services of senior defender Mike Crown on the back line.

Army, which was picked fourth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, rounds out the League squads receiving votes in the national polls. The Black Knights return goalkeeper Tom Palesky, who averaged a League-best 12.75 saves per game and allowed just 8.89 goals per contest as a sophomore in 2009.

The 2010 season will officially commence for Patriot League teams on Saturday when Lafayette travels to Rutgers.