BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Lehigh women’s lacrosse team was picked third in the Patriot League preseason poll announced Thursday while senior Leigh Ann Torcivia earned Defensive Player of the Year honors. Led by co-captains Torcivia and junior Julie McBrien, the Mountain Hawks are looking to make their sixth straight Patriot League Tournament in 2012.Lehigh earned 53 points, behind only Navy (72) and Colgate (61) while ahead of American (41), Holy Cross (28), Lafayette (27) and Bucknell (12).
Torcivia earned her preseason honor one year after garnering both All-Patriot League and All-Region accolades. She has earned All-League honors in each of her first three season, including First Team laurels the past two. Torcivia led the team in both groundballs (41) and draw controls (43) last season, despite missing the first three games. She also added a goal and 13 caused turnovers as a staple on the Lehigh defense.
“It’s well-deserved recognition for Leigh Ann,” said Lehigh head coach Jill Redfern. “She exemplifies everything that we appreciate in our program and has continued to get better and better. We’re expecting her to have a fabulous senior year.”
Lehigh remains hard at work in preseason practice preparing for its season opener on Feb. 18 against Marist. Opening draw at the Ulrich Sports Complex is set for 3 p.m.
2012 Patriot League Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll
1. Navy, 72 points (12 first-place votes)
2. Colgate, 61 (2)
3. Lehigh, 53
4. American, 41
5. Holy Cross, 28
6. Lafayette, 27
7. Bucknell, 12
Patriot League Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Jasmine DePompeo, Navy (Jr., A)
Patriot League Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Leigh Ann Torcivia, Lehigh (Sr., M)