Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/24/13
From Press Release
Led by senior midfielder Stephanie Anderson, who was a preseason All-BIG EAST team selection, Rutgers women’s lacrosse was voted to finish fifth in the 2013 BIG EAST preseason poll, the league announced on Wednesday.
After starting all 16 games a year ago, Anderson was named to the All-BIG EAST and IWLCA All-Mid-Atlantic Second Teams. The midfielder led the team with 41 goals, posting 13 multi-goal games on the season. Anderson finished third in the BIG EAST in goals, as well as ranking sixth in goals per game. During conference play, she scored a team-best 27 points on 25 goals and two assists, ending 2012 ranked tenth in the league in points per game.
RU tallied 36 points in the coaches’ poll, 10 points ahead of sixth-place Connecticut. Nine coaches voted and were not permitted to vote for their own teams. Syracuse – who played in the 2012 national championship – led the way with a unanimous first-place finish and 64 points overall. SU was followed by Loyola (57), Notre Dame (48) and Georgetown (44). The Scarlet Knights were followed by UConn (26) and Louisville (26), Villanova (13), and Cincinnati (10).
The Scarlet Knights ended their 2012 season with a 9-7 record overall, finishing 4-4 in BIG EAST play for a fifth-place finish. RU returns seven starters and welcomes eight newcomers into the mix. Rutgers will open the 2013 regular season at home against Manhattan on Feb. 9 at 11 a.m.
2013 BIG EAST Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Syracuse (8) 64
2. Loyola (1) 57
3. Notre Dame 48
4. Georgetown 44
5. Rutgers 36
6. UConn 26 – tied
Louisville 26 – tied
8. Villanova 13
9. Cincinnati 10
2013 BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
*Michelle Tumolo (Clearview Regional), Syracuse, Senior, Attack
2013 BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
*Becca Block, Syracuse, Senior, Defense
2013 BIG EAST Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Stephanie Anderson, Rutgers, Senior, Midfield
*Becca Block, Syracuse, Senior, Defense
Nikki Boltja, Louisville, Junior, Midfield
Kelsi Bozel, Georgetown, Senior, Midfield
Alyssa Costantino, Syracuse, Junior, Goalkeeper
Ashley Hunter, Georgetown, Senior, Defense
*Alyssa Murray, Syracuse, Junior, Attack
*Marlee Paton, Loyola, Junior, Midfield
Lindsey Powell, Notre Dame, Junior, Attack
*Margaret Smith, Notre Dame, Junior, Defense
*Barbara Sullivan, Notre Dame, Sophomore, Defense
*Annie Thomas, Loyola, Sophomore, Attack
*Sophia Thomas, Georgetown, Senior, Midfield
*Sydney Thomas, Loyola, Sophomore, Midfield
*Michelle Tumolo, Syracuse, Senior, Attack
Katie Webster, Syracuse, Junior, Midfield
*unanimous selections
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding women’s lacrosse, follow the program on Twitter (@rulaxbrand). Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with http://www.ScarletKnights.com.
