WORCESTER, Mass. (January 27, 2015) – Holy Cross women's lacrosse senior captain Laura Ryan (Stirling, N.J.) received Preseason All-Patriot League honors. Also, the Crusaders have been picked to finish fifth in the 2015 Patriot League Preseason Poll as voted on by head coaches and sports information directors from around the league.
Ryan, who has been named a captain for the second straight season, has started in all 56 games for Holy Cross. Going into the 2015 season, she is 10th all-time in career goals with 106, second in draw controls with 151 and tied for third in caused turnovers with 64. Last year, Ryan was first on the team with 42 points and first in ground balls with 41. She has earned second team All-Patriot League honors for three consecutive years. Ryan was named to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll during her sophomore and junior years and is a member of the Holy Cross Leadership Academy.
Defending Patriot League Tournament champion Loyola (Md.) has been picked to place first as it earned 16 first-place votes and 128 total points. Navy was picked to finish second as it received two first-place votes and 110 total points. Boston University, who finished second in the Patriot League Tournament last year, was picked to finish third with 103 total points. Lehigh was picked to finish fourth with 77 total points, while the Crusaders were fifth with 72 total points. Colgate was picked to finish sixth (67 total points), followed by Lafayette (39 total points), American (32 total points) and Bucknell (20 total points). Loyola's Annie Thomas was named the league's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Loyola's Maddy Lesher earned Preseason Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Last year, the Crusaders concluded the 2014 season with a 7-12 overall record (4-4 Patriot League) as the team made it to the Patriot League Tournament semifinals. The Crusaders defeated Colgate 10-8 in the quarterfinals and then fell to top seeded Loyola, 14-10, in the semifinals. The Crusaders, who return 24 letterwinners and 10 starters, kick off the season at Bryant on Saturday, Feb. 14 at 1:00 p.m.
There are numerous ways to stay connected with the Holy Cross women's lacrosse team. Follow the Crusaders on Twitter @HCrossWLax and on Facebook. You can also get the latest news and results on the team sent directly to your e-mail. To sign up for e-mail alerts go here: http://www.goholycross.com/list-signup.
Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Loyola Maryland, 128 points (16 first-place votes)
2. Navy, 110 (2)
3. Boston University, 103
4. Lehigh, 77
5. Holy Cross, 72
6. Colgate, 67
7. Lafayette, 39
8. American, 32
9. Bucknell, 20
Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Annie Thomas, Loyola (Sr., A)
Patriot League Women's Lacrosse Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Maddy Lesher, Loyola (Jr., D)
Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Megan Ark, Colgate (Sr., A)
Loren Generi, Navy (Sr., A)
Hannah Schmitt, Loyola (Sr., A)
Annie Thomas, Loyola (Sr., A)
Kendall Garden, Lehigh (Jr., M)
Jill Horka, Boston U (Jr., M)
Laura Ryan, Holy Cross (Sr., M)
Taryn VanThof, Loyola (Sr., M)
Jenna Frost, Colgate (Sr., D)
Maddy Lesher, Loyola (Jr., D)
Lauren Willcox, Lehigh (Sr., D)
Jennie Berglin, Colgate (Sr., GK)
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Jim Wrobel
Assistant Director of Athletic Media Relations
College of the Holy Cross
One College Street
Worcester, MA 01610
Office: (508) 793-3684