MELBOURNE, Fla. - The University of Tampa has been voted No. 1 in the 2015 Sunshine State Conference preseason men's lacrosse coaches poll. The Spartans received 25 total votes and five first place votes.
The poll gives a four vote edge to the Spartans over Florida Southern College. The Moccasins received a total of 21 votes overall and the final first place vote.
Tampa (16-3, 5-0) won the first-ever SSC regular season and tournament titles in 2014. In its first NCAA appearance, UT advanced to the NCAA national semifinals after defeating No. 5 Mercyhurst in national mquarterfinal play.
The Spartans came within one game of the NCAA Division ll National Championship game before losing to the eventual national champion, Limestone. Tampa ranks No. 4. in the USILA preseason Coaches poll.
Florida Southern (11-4, 4-1) came in second place in the SSC last season with their only conference loss coming by way of Tampa. The Moccasins then fell to the Spartans in the championship game the SSC Tournament. FSC ranks tied for No. 10 in the USILA preseason Coaches poll.
Sunshine State Conference play opens up on February 28, with Tampa hosting Rollins College. Regional tournament play begins May 9. The NCAA National Championship tournament is set to begin on May 24.
2015 SSC MEN'S LACROSSE PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Rank School Points (FPV)
1. Tampa 25 (5)
2. Florida Southern 21 (1)
3. Saint Leo 16
4. Florida Tech 13
5. Rollins 9
6. Lynn 6
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