NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. – For the third straight season, the Regis College women's lacrosse team was unanimously chosen to finish first as the 2016 New England Collegiate Conference women's lacrosse preseason polls were announced this afternoon.

Under the leadership of two-time NECC Coach of the Year Courtney Duggan, the Crimson and Gold finished the 2015 campaign with a 13-6 record and a 7-0 mark in conference contests en route to their third straight NECC Championship. Regis then went on to face the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in their first ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Returning for the Pride are All-NECC First Team selections Sam Salamone (Milford, Mass.) and Rachel Gagnon (Ashford, Conn.). Salamone, the 2015 NECC Tournament MVP finished the season leading the squad in goals (55), assists (20), and points (75). Gagnon was the defensive anchor for Regis as she snagged 47 groundballs, 11 draw controls and caused 24 turnovers.

Rounding out the polls is Wheelock College who received 54 points and the second spot, Becker earned 45 points and the third ranking. Elms came in at fourth with 44 points, followed up by Southern Vermont. Mitchell, Bay Path and Daniel Webster rounded out the final three spots in the poll earning 23, 18 and 12 points respectively.

The Pride open their season at New England College on Saturday, March 5th at 1:00 p.m.

2016 NECC Women's Lacrosse Preseason Poll