Dec. 19, 2007

Baltimore, Md. - The Mercyhurst men's lacrosse team was ranked No. 2 in Lacrosse Magazine's 2008 Division II Preseason Poll, released Wednesday. The Lakers advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship game for the first time in program history a year ago, finishing with a record of 13-2.

Defending national champion Le Moyne was selected as the No. 1 team in the country and the Dolphins were the only team to beat Mercyhurst a year ago. New York Institute of Technology, which competes in the East Coast Conference along with Mercyhurst, was selected No. 3, and Limestone and Bryant followed. Two more ECC schools, C.W. Post and Dowling, were ranked No. 6 and No. 7. St. Andrew's, St. Michael's and Molloy rounded out the top 10.

Inside Lacrosse Magazine already released its preseason polls, ranking Mercyhurst No. 3, behind Le Moyne and NYIT. The Lakers, however, were chosen to as the ECC favorites ahead of NYIT and four players were selected as preseason All-Americans. Goalkeeper Jason LaShomb, defender Matt Spahr, midfielder Mike Thon, and forward David Osier all made the list.

Mercyhurst opens the season Feb. 24 at Queens (N.C.) at 2 p.m. The Lakers will get a rematch with Le Moyne on the road March 9 and the team opens the season at home against Limestone March 16 at 1 p.m.