Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Tabbed Preseason American Lacrosse Conference Favorites
2/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Lacrosse
Feb. 13, 2010
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern, the defending American Lacrosse Conference champion, is the preseason favorite to take home the ALC crown again in 2010 based on a poll of conference coaches. The Wildcats were a unanimous pick in the top spot after capturing the last five conference titles and sharing the crown in 2004.
Northwestern, dubbed the nation's preseason number one by the IWLCA, Inside Lacrosse and Lacrosse Magazine, is followed by Vanderbilt, Ohio State, Penn State, Johns Hopkins and newcomer Florida in the rankings. The Wildcats, who have won 29-consecutive conference games, host the Blue Jays, Commodores and Gators at Lakeside Field this season.
In addition, Northwestern placed four players on the preseason All-Conference team. Senior All-Americans Katrina Dowd and Danielle Spencer highlight the selections, with sophomores Alexandra Frank and Shannon Smith also earning preseason honors. The four Wildcat selections is the most of any school, followed by Vanderbilt's three honorees.
After roaring past Massachusetts 18-6 in its season opener, Northwestern is preparing for a return trip to the west coast. The Wildcats will face their first ranked opponent of the season, taking on 13th-ranked Stanford in Palo Alto on Friday, Feb. 26 before making the trip up the San Francisco Bay to face California in Berkeley on Sunday, Feb. 28.
American Lacrosse Conference Preseason Poll
1. Northwestern
2. Vanderbilt
3. Ohio State
4. Penn State
5. Johns Hopkins
6. Florida
American Lacrosse Conference Preseason Team
Teresa Bucci - Penn State
Ally Carey - Vanderbilt
Katrina Dowd - Northwestern
Sarah Downing - Vanderbilt
Alexandra Frank - Northwestern
Kelly Haggerty - Ohio State
Angela Hughes - Johns Hopkins
Alayna Markwordt - Ohio State
Erica Mihm - Penn State
Alex Mundy - Vanderbilt
Shannon Smith - Northwestern
Danielle Spencer - Northwestern
