Birmingham, Ala. – Flagler College was selected as the unaninmous preseason favorite in the 2023 Gulf South Conference Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll, announced by the conference office on Thursday.
The Saints stood atop the preseason predictions after receiving six first-place votes, as they collected 36 total points. Flagler concluded its inaugural season at 11-8 overall and third in the GSC standings with a 4-2 mark, before finishing as runners-up in the 2022 GSC Championship. Flagler have a host of talent returning, led by junior
Madison Daziel, who scored a team-high 33 goals last season. She will be joined by sophomore
Carly LaFerriere, following a team-leading 54 draw controls, while sophomore
Amanda Hernandez will be back to anchor the Saints' defense.
Lander was picked to finish in second after going 10-8 overall and 3-3 GSC play. The Bearcats will be led by with a solid attacking duo in
sophomore
Mickey Burnett and senior
Alyssa Suchan. Burnett finished her rookie season ranked third among team leaders last with 44 goals, while Suchan was an all-conference performer in 2022 after finishing among GSC leaders in assists (1st/40) and points (4th/71). Defensively, Lander will be led by veteran
Tiyonna Hall.
Defending regular season and tournament champions, Alabama Huntsville was projected to finish in third and received one first-place vote. The team returns graduate
Katie Gerber and junior
Isadora Springer on the attack side, who scored 78 goals combined last season. Also returning is graduate
Sara Pagotto on the defense.
After going 8-8 overall and 5-1 in conference play last season, Lee was picked to finish in fourth. The Lady Flames will be led in the midfield by two-time All-GSC performer
Brittany White, along with teammate
Megan Trout. Also returning and looking to be a key contributor defensively will be
Jaylee Griffin.
The rest of the place featured Young Harris and Montevallo checking in at fifth and sixth, respectively, while Shorter rounded out the order at seventh.
The 2023 women's lacrosse schedule will officially start February 1, with Gulf South play beginning March 24 as Montevallo hosts Lander.
2023 Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll
1. Flagler (6) – 36 pts
2. Lander – 28
3. Alabama Huntsville (1) – 27
4. Lee – 23
5. Young Harris – 14
6. Montevallo – 13
7. Shorter – 6