Reigning CCC Champions Set to Finish Second in Preseason Coaches' Poll

2015 CCC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) released their annual Preseason Women's Lacrosse Coaches' Poll which listed Endicott to finish second behind Western New England in the 2015 standings. The race was close as the Golden Bears earned four first place votes to the three for the reigning CCC Champions. Voting for the preseason poll was conducted among the league's head women's lacrosse coaches.

Coming in behind the top two spots were Roger Williams with 73 votes (1), with Gordon 50 (1) and University of New England 50 tied for fourth. Rounding out the remaining spots are Curry (33), Nichols (26), Salve Regina (24) and Wentworth (8).

The Endicott women's lacrosse team is coming off another thrilling season in 2014 as they claimed their ninth consecutive CCC championship as well as advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.

The program will enter the 2015 season under new leadership with first year head coach, Morgan Maciewicz at the helm. Maciewicz is eager to get the season started saying, "One of our goals, as it will be year in and year out, is to win our conference championship.  With that said, our main goals are focused on much more than scores or wins and losses.  We are working hard to establish a culture of community and excellence in which our student-athletes support each other both on and off the field"

The Blue and Green will look to continue their success by adding another mark to their championship banner along with making waves on the national level while elevating themselves to one of the elite teams in the region. Endicott posted a 14-4 (7-1 CCC) record last season while claiming some big victories over #13 Bates and Wellesley along with competing with strong national contenders, Bowdoin and Tufts.

Despite the loss of an impactful senior class in 2014 the Gulls will welcome back Rookie of the Year Emily Whitney (Rye, N.H.) along with All-CCC Honorees, seniors Ellie Clayman (Beverly, Mass.), Siri Mason (Williamstown, Mass.) and sophomore Chelsea Burke (Georgetown, Mass.).

The Blue and Green will look to their three captains in Clayman, Mason and senior Kirsten Thor (Longmeadow, Mass.) to lead this group of Gulls. "We have three fantastic captains, each of them brings something a little different to the table which creates this natural leadership balance every coach dreams of.  Our team is truly one big family" says Maciewicz.

Along with the returning of Whitney, Mason, Clayman and Burke, the Gulls will also welcome back sophomore Meghan Lennon (Canton, Mass.) who will control the midfield along with junior Elizabeth Reda (Wilton, Conn.) who will anchor the defensive unit. With the key returners the squad is eager to welcome freshman attack, Erin McCarthy (Old Lyme, Conn.) and goalkeepers, Molly Lane (Durham, Maine) and Maura Grady (Marblehead, Mass.) who will be vying for time between the pipes.

The Blue and Green have put together a strong strength of schedule which will help prepare them for the road ahead. "Strength of schedule is huge for us. Each game we play, both in and out of conference, will be tremendously competitive.  We are looking to take things one day at a time and focus on what we can be doing as a team to prepare for each game.  It truly comes down to what we are we doing and how are we adjusting to get the job done" says Maciewicz.

Entering the 2015 season the competitive Gulls will have a target on their back after claiming nine straight conference victories and only losing three conference games in the past eight seasons. However, Endicott will not focus on the past but at the task at hand as Maciewicz describes, "I'm not a fan of the concept of "defending" our CCC championships.  Each year is a new year with a new team and new competition.  For our team, playing to defend it is tantamount to "playing not to lose".  We are here to attack that 2015 CCC Championship and then some."

The Blue and Green will get their season started on Wednesday, March 4^th as they travel to #14 Tufts for the season opener at 3:30 p.m. That coming Saturday, March 7^th the Gulls will kick off their home opener with a non-conference game with Southern Maine at noon. For a full schedule of the upcoming season click HERE.

The Endicott Sports Information Department will continue to provide livestats and video for all women's lacrosse home games this season. Please stay connected with the 2015 schedule for those links and the most current information. If you are on the road and cannot keep up with live game updates follow @ECGulls and @EndicottWLAX on twitter for live in-game tweets.

2015 CCC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll