Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/1/23 – From Press Release
Stony Brook collected all seven possible first place votes in its first year in the CAA after appearing in the NCAA Quarterfinals for the fourth time in the last five tournaments. The Seawolves went 16-3 with all three setbacks to eventual Championship Weekend teams while going undefeated through America East play and earning an at-large selection to the NCAA Tournament.
Stony Brook earned five wins over ranked opponents during the 2022 campaign. Stony Brook enters the year at No. 6 in the IWLCA/ILWomen poll and No. 4 in the USA Lacrosse Magazine rankings, while three Seawolves – Masera, Kailyn Hart, and Clare Levy – were named to the preseason All-CAA team.
Towson earned the second-place honor after a 5-1 showing in league play last year and trip to the CAA Final in Philadelphia. The Tigers won their last five CAA games entering the tournament and collected overtime victories in the regular season over two of the other three teams in the tournament field. Towson’s Blair Pearre and newcomer goalie Jo Torres were selected for preseason honors.
Defending CAA Champion Drexel ranked third in the preseason voting and earned two spots on the preseason team in midfielder Corinne Bednarik (Downingtown West) and defender Belle McHugh (Academy of Notre Dame). Hofstra ranked fourth with attacker Taylor Mennella earning preseason honors, Delaware was fifth with Delaney McDaniel and Madison Hranicka collecting accolades, while was Monmouth was picked sixth with Caroline Brennan (Downingtown East) and Cassidy Orban named to the team. Elon and William & Mary rounded out the eight-team poll.
Drexel opens up the season at home against Binghamton on February 11th at Noon from Vidas Field.
Bednarik was a First Team All-CAA selection and started all 20 games for DU last year. She enters this season third all-time with 172 draw controls and seventh with 47 assists. The senior set the Drexel single-season record with 95 draw controls which was second in the CAA and had five games with three or more goals.
McHugh was part of Drexel’s strong defensive unit last year and started all 20 games for DU. She was selected as the CAA Defensive Player of the Week on May 2, following two games in which she earned a combined nine ground balls and seven caused turnovers. The senior led the team with 27 caused turnovers and 41 ground balls.
The 2023 CAA Women’s Lacrosse season begins February 10 and culminates May 4 and 6 in Towson, Maryland, at the CAA Championship. This year’s national championship will be played in Cary, North Carolina.
2023 CAA Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll
| School (1st) | Points |
| 1. Stony Brook (7) | 49 |
| 2. Towson (1) | 43 |
| 3. Drexel | 35 |
| 4. Hofstra | 30 |
| 5. Delaware | 25 |
| 6. Monmouth | 21 |
| 7. Elon | 13 |
| 8. William & Mary | 8 |
2023 CAA Women’s Lacrosse Preseason All-Conference Team
| Name | School | Cl. | Pos. | Hometown |
| Caroline Brennan | Monmouth | So. | A | Downingtown East, Pa. |
| Kailyn Hart | Stony Brook | Sr. | A | North Babylon, N.Y. |
| Delaney McDaniel | Delaware | So. | A | Severna Park, Md. |
| Taylor Mennella | Hofstra | Sr. | A | Smithtown, N.Y. |
| Corinne Bednarik | Drexel | Sr. | M | Downingtown West, Pa. |
| Ellie Masera | Stony Brook | Jr. | M | Eastport, N.Y. |
| Cassidy Orban | Monmouth | Gr. | M | Long Valley, N.J. |
| Blair Pearre | Towson | Sr. | M | Pikesville, Md. |
| Belle McHugh | Drexel | Sr. | D | Academy of Notre Dame |
| Madison Hranicka | Delaware | Sr. | D | Mendham, N.J. |
| Clare Levy | Stony Brook | Jr. | D | Rocky Point, N.Y. |
| Jo Torres | Towson | Jr. | GK | Prince Frederick, Md. |
Preseason Player of the Year: Ellie Masera, Stony Brook
Honorable Mention: Lindsay Clarke, A, Towson; Haley Dillon, D, Stony Brook; Bri Falco, D, Monmouth; Kailee Follette, D, Elon; Jackie Gatti, M, Hofstra; Jaden Hampel, A, Stony Brook; Caroline Hertzberg, D, William & Mary; Olivia Malamphy, D, Towson; Jess Smith, GK, Hofstra; Kerry Walser, A, Hofstra; Milana Zizakovic, M, Towson
