SAINT LEO, Fla. – The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) released its preseason Division II Coaches Poll on Monday, naming the Saint Leo women's lacrosse team No. 23 to start the 2020 season.
 
The No. 23 Saint Leo Lions joined fellow Sunshine State Conference (SSC) foes in the rankings including No. 6 Tampa, No. 7 Rollins, and No. 8 Florida Southern. In addition to facing three top-10 conference opponents, Saint Leo is slated to meet No. 11 East Stroudsburg and No. 13 Limestone this season.
 
Beyond the IWLCA, the Lions have been ranked No. 17 by the US Lacrosse Magazine's Nike/US Division II poll, released earlier this month. Sandwiched in-between the two national polls, the SSC Preseason Poll picked the Lions to finish the season fourth among eighth conference programs.
 
The trio of highly rated rankings follow an exciting 2019 season as the Lions went 13-4 overall, 2-4 in the SSC. The Green and Gold showcased a historic 13-0 run, setting the team's best season start. The record book was completely renovated with career, season, and single-game performances by Leslie Ferguson, Kaylah Walstad, Delaney Chrisco, and Ashley Salvett. Ferguson and Salvett became the program's first-ever All-SSC First Team selections. Salvett went on to be honored as an Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Second Team member.
 
Third year head coach Caitlin Hansen returns seniors Janee DeLuca at attack, Salvett at defense, Chrisco at midfield, and starting goalkeeper Erin Davis among 17 returners, 11 true freshmen, and four transfers.

The Lions are slated for 17 regular-season games featuring eight home at University Turf Stadium, eight games on the road, and one neutral site meeting. The year will start with a home opener hosting a conference foe, the IWLCA No. 7 Rollins Tars, in a non-conference contest on Saturday, Feb. 8 starting at 1 p.m.
 
For more information on the Saint Leo women's lacrosse program, visit SaintLeoLions.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Lions news by following Saint Leo Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.