BOSTON, Mass. -- A 2012 GNAC Semifinalist, the Sharks are ranked fourth in the the 2013 Great Northeast Athletic Conference Pre-Season poll announced Tuesday. Simmons will look to improve upon of their 6-3 conference record and challenge for the 2013 GNAC Championship in the up-coming season.

Leading the way for the Sharks is senior Rachel Wallace (Braintree, Mass.) the team's top scorer with 43 goals in 2012. Senior Kelly Last (West Haven, Conn.) will return in net, senior Megan Coffey (Wilmot Flat, N.H.) will be force in the midfield, while junior Seneca Martensson (East Longmeadow, Mass.) and sophomore Symonne Fontenot (Portsmouth, N.H.) will anchor the Sharks defense.

Norwich University, the defending GNAC regular season and conference playoff champions, have been tabbed as the Pre-Season favorite for the 2013 season, receiving eight first place votes as well as 97 total points in the voting process. The remaining two first-place votes went to Lasell College, who were selected to finish second in the GNAC, receiving 89 total points in the poll.

Emerson College, who received a total of 78 points in the 2013 Pre-Season poll, was selected to finish third after the 2012 season saw the Lions compile an 8-7 overall record, while finishing 6-3 in the GNAC regular-season. 

Rounding out the top five in the 2013 Women's Lacrosse Pre-Season Poll was Saint Joseph's College (ME). The Monks finished with a 5-4 GNAC record in the 2012 season as well as an overall record of 8-6. Saint Joseph's (ME) received 55 points in the voting.

The Sharks open their regular season on Tuesday, March 5th at Salve Regina at 6:00 p.m.

Courtesy of the GNAC