BULLDOGS TABBED EIGHTH IN NEC WOMEN'S LACROSSE POLL

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - After a single season of Division I play in 2009, the Bryant University women's lacrosse team was picked to finish eighth among the 10 teams in the Northeast Conference, as voted by league coaches.

After the Bulldogs posted a 3-13 record in 2009, head coach Karen Healy enters her fifth season and returns 70 percent of the team's offensive production from 2009, including three of its top four goal scorers. Healy will look to senior midfielder Allison Faiola (Billerica, MA/Billerica Memorial) to jump start the offense. Faiola posted 49 points, including 33 goals, and was 8-10 on free position opportunities a year ago. Sophomore midfielder Mary Green (Merrick, NY/Calhoun) totaled 38 points on 29 goals and nine assists and led the Bulldogs with 31 draw controls. Sophomore attacker Lauren Sheridan (Bethpage, NY/Bethpage) compiled 18 goals and 23 points, while senior midfielder Eliza DeMarseilles (Branford, CT/Branford) collected 12 goals, 10 assists and 21 ground balls. Senior Jessica Bolton (Belgrade Lakes, ME/Scarborough) and sophomore Lauren Filippone (West Babylon, NY/West Babylon) return after splitting time in goal last season.

Bryant will play a full conference schedule in 2010, including seven home games in its second year of transition to the DI level.

The NEC coaches selected Sacred Heart for the top spot in the league's preseason poll, as SHU aims for its third-consecutive league crown in 2010. Monmouth, Quinnipiac, Robert Morris and Mount St. Mary's round out the top five followed by Wagner, Long Island, Bryant, Central Connecticut State University and Saint Francis (PA), who closes out the preseason field.

The Bulldogs open up the second year of their Division I transition Saturday, Feb. 20, hosting Boston College at 12:00 p.m. at the Bryant Turf Complex before heading to Villanova on Feb. 25.