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Women’s Lacrosse Picked to Finish Second in League Preseason Poll
Eagles will look to dethrone two-time defending champ Lafayette

February 22, 2002

CAA defensive all-star Robyn Mincher will look to help American dethrone Lafayette for the 2002 Patriot League championship title.

WASHINGTON -- The American University women’s lacrosse team was picked to finish second behind two-time defending league champion Lafayette College in the 2002 Patriot League Preseason Poll, as announced Thursday by the league office.

The Eagles received one first place vote with 48 total votes from league coaches and sports information directors. The league newcomer is expected to be in a battle with Villanova, Holy Cross and Colgate for league runner-up.

American finished the 2001 season with a 6-9 overall record and a 1-5 mark in its last season as a member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Head coach Maureen Dupcak has 17 letterwinners returning this season, including CAA defensive all-star Robyn Mincher (Annapolis, Md./Annapolis).

The Patriot League championship title holds even more weight this year with the champion of the tournament receiving the league’s first-ever automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

American University became a full member of the Patriot League on July 1, 2001, after competing in the CAA since the 1985-86 academic year. The University, founded in 1893, fields a 19-sport Division I athletics program, featuring 10 women’s sports and nine for men.

2002 Patriot League Preseason Poll
1. Lafayette (11) - 71 (total votes)
2. American (1) - 48
3. Villanova (2) - 48
4. Holy Cross - 45
5. Colgate - 37
6. Bucknell - 30
7. Lehigh - 13

() indicates # of first place votes