Phillylacrosse.com, posted 2/15/09

     Colgate Senior defender Molly Carroll (Strath Haven) was named the preseason Defensive Player of the Year in the Patriot League, as the league office announced its preseason poll as voted on by coaches and women’s lacrosse media contacts at the respective schools.

    Carroll backed up the honor Saturday by scoring three goals for Colgate in its season opener, a 19-7 victory over non-conference Stony Brook.

    Colgate also has been chosen as the preseason favorite to repeat as the 2009 Patriot League title once again.

    The Raiders, who went 11-10 overall and 5-1 in league action, return 10 of 12 starters from last year’s league title team. Colgate captured 11 of a possible 14 votes to garner the top nod with 71 points. Navy, which went 13-4 overall in 2008, posted the other remaining first place votes and finished a distant second with 53, while Lehigh (52) and American (50) closed out the top four pre-season selections.

    “Being ranked preseason number one is a great honor and a big motivator for our team to keep that ranking for the entire season,” said Colgate coach Heather Bliss. “After winning the league last year, we realize that every team is going to be gunning to take us down. The team is ready and has prepared all preseason to take on this challenge.”

    Carroll scored five goals in two games, including three in the title game against American en route to being named the Tournament MVP. Carroll was a first team all-league performer and won the Patriot League’s defensive player of the week three times in 2008. As a junior, she posted 28 goals and five assists as a midfielder. Erin Rawlick of Navy was chosen as the preseason offensive player of the year.

    “Having Molly Carroll be projected as the preseason defensive player of the year is a well deserved honor for her,” said Bliss. “She is an extremely hard working athlete and is a great lacrosse player thanks to her teammates and defense that surround her. The honor is not only for her, but is also a great acknowledgement to our defense.”

2009 Patriot League Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll  

1. Colgate      71 (11)

2. Navy         53 (3)

3. Lehigh       52

4. American     50

5. Holy Cross   33

6. Bucknell     19

7. Lafayette    16

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year: Erin Rawlick, Navy

Preseason Defensive Player of the Year: Molly Carroll, Colgate

Tags: Strath Haven