The University of Florida lacrosse team was picked to finish fourth in the American Lacrosse Conference preseason poll, announced Friday afternoon.
Defending ALC Champions and national runners-up the Northwestern Wildcats sit atop of the preseason poll as the league opens up its tenth season in 2011. Northwestern, a unanimous choice at the top ranking in the conference, is followed by Vanderbilt, Penn State, Florida, Johns Hopkins and Ohio State.
Florida had one representative on the ALC preseason All-Conference team in ALC and National Rookie of the Year Ashley Bruns (Ellicott City, Md.). Bruns led all freshmen nationally in total points and points per game (4.39), ranking in the top 15 nationally among all players in both categories. She also ranked among the top three freshmen in the nation in goals (48) and assists (31), leading the Gators in both categories. Bruns was also named Rookie of the Year by WomensLax.com and was an ALC Second Team selection.
The ‘Cats also claim four members of the ALC preseason All-Conference team, including 2010 All-Americans Alex Frank, Shannon Smith and Taylor Thornton. They are joined by Colleen Magarity. Johns Hopkins, Ohio State and Penn State each boast two student-athletes on the preseason team. Ohio State’s Annie Carruthers, the 2010 ALC Goalie of the Year, is one of two Buckeyes on the list, along with Alayna Markwordt. Maggie Dunbar and Jen Steadman from Penn State made the list, as did Alyssa Kildate and Candace Rossi from Johns Hopkins, both of whom earned All-Conference honors in 2010. First team All-American Ally Carey represents Vanderbilt.
American Lacrosse Conference Preseason Poll
1. Northwestern
2. Vanderbilt
3. Penn State
4. Florida
5. Johns Hopkins
6. Ohio State
American Lacrosse Conference Preseason Team
Ashley Bruns, Florida^
Ally Carey, Vanderbilt*
Annie Carruthers, Ohio State*
Alex Frank, Northwestern^
Maggie Dunbar, Penn State*
Alyssa Kildare, Johns Hopkins*
Colleen Magarity, Northwestern^
Alayna Markwordt, Ohio State*
Candace Rossi, Johns Hopkins^
Shannon Smith, Northwestern*
Jen Steadman, Penn State
Taylor Thornton, Northwestern^
*2010 ALC First Team
^2010 ALC Second Team
