March 22, 2000

BETHLEHEM, PA - In a vote of the League's head coaches, the Lafayette College women's lacrosse team has been selected to win the 2000 Patriot League title. The Leopards earned four first-place votes for a total of 24 points to outdistance 1999 Champion, Colgate who tallied a total of 22 points on two first-place votes. Holy Cross was selected as the preseason No. 3 team with 17 points and was followed by Lehigh (13 pts.), Bucknell (8), and Villanova (6).

The Leopards will go after their eighth overall Patriot League title this season after having their streak of four consecutive crowns snapped by Colgate. The duo of Kellee Salber (Hatboro, PA) and Erin Carney (Schwenksville, PA), All-Patriot League First Team selections in '99, lead the Leopards in their quest to recapture the title. Heather McClelland (Springfield, VA), the 1999 Rookie of the Year, looks for a repeat performance this season after leading the League in League-only scoring (12 goals, 10 assists for 22 points) in her freshman campaign. McClelland ranked fourth in the League in total scoring with 27 goals and 28 assists for 55 points (3.44 ppg) as she was also awarded All-Patriot League Second Team honors.

Colgate, No. 2 in the poll, defends its title behind the return of 1999 Offensive Player of the Year, Kate Manzella. Manzella ranked second in the League with 33 goals and 17 assists for 50 points (3.57ppg). She notched 10 goals and added eight assists in five League games as the Red Raiders breezed through the 1999 League schedule with an unblemished 5-0 mark. In addition to Manzella, Colgate also returns All-Patriot League First Team selections Mary Waligunda and Meg McLaughlin in their attempt to repeat.

Holy Cross sophomore Jen Amendola completes the list of returning All-Patriot League First Team members.

2000 Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank, Team, Pts., 1999 Record
1. Lafayette (4), 24, 10-6, 3-2 PL
2. Colgate (2), 22, 11-3, 5-0 PL
3. Holy Cross, 17, 11-7, 3-2 PL
4. Lehigh, 13, 7-9, 2-3 PL
5. Bucknell, 8, 5-8, 1-4 PL
6. Villanova, 6, 3-13, 1-4 PL

(#) = First-place vote