Women's Lacrosse: Bison tabbed ninth in PAC Preseason Poll

TRAFFORD, Pa. – The Bethany College women's lacrosse team was picked to finished ninth in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Women's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll.

W&J received eight of 10 first-place votes and 80 total points. Allegheny College, who is in its first season in the PAC since rejoining the league after playing in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) previously, secured one first-place vote and 72 points. Coming in third in the poll was Grove City College, who collected one first-place vote and 67 points.

Franciscan University was picked fourth (52) and was followed by Saint Vincent College in fifth (44), sixth place was a tie between Chatham University and Thiel College (39), Westminster College in eighth (25), Bethany College in ninth (23) and Waynesburg University in 10th (nine).

Bethany is led by first-year head coach Jordan Blackburne and returns 10 for the 2023 season including seniors Cassidy Mailloux and Kassidy Stephens, junior Karley Trinidad and sophomores Leah Crihfield and Abbie Carpenter.

Mailloux, Carpenter, and Trinidad return as the top three scorers for the Bison. They combined for 88 goals and 29 assists last season. On defense, the Bison return Stephens who had 38 caused turnovers and 46 groundballs. In net, Crihfield made four appearances with one start. She made 16 saves and gave up six goals.

Mailloux, Carpenter, Stephens, Crihfield, and Trinidad were named to the PAC Players to Watch list.

Bethany finished the season last year with the most wins in program history with a 7-10 record (2-6 PAC).

The Bison open their 2023 season on the road on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at La Roche University at 4 p.m.