PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Keene State College earned all six possible first place votes and 36 total points in the 2008 Little East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released by the conference office this afternoon. The Owls finished five points ahead of the 2007 Little East Conference Championship Tournament finalists, Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors.

Under the direction of Head Coach Mark Theriault, Keene State College hoisted the program’s second Little East Conference Championship Tournament trophy last season, earning the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Tournament field. Last spring, the Owls posted an overall record of 16-1, including sweeping the conference circuit with a 6-0 mark. Keene State advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where the Owls dropped their lone contest of the campaign. Theriault welcomes back four All-Little East Conference first-team selections, including the 2007 Defensive Player of Year Matt Johnson.

Eastern Connecticut State University begins the 2008 season trying to capture the program’s sixth Little East Conference Tournament Championship in the eight-year history of the conference. First-year Head Coach Justin Axel is making his collegiate debut as a head boss, becoming the fourth men’s lacrosse coach to walk the Warriors sidelines. In 2007, Eastern Connecticut placed second in the conference standings with a 5-1 mark. The Warriors return five All-Little East Conference picks, including three first-team honorees.

Western Connecticut State University edged Plymouth State University by a single vote for the third position in the annual poll. The Colonials and Panthers finished the 2007 conference slate in a three-way tie for third place with UMass Boston with a 3-3 record. Last spring, Western Connecticut turned in an overall record of 10-8, while Plymouth State registered an 11-6 mark, including winning the 2007 ECAC New England Championship Tournament. The Beacons secured the fifth spot in the poll with 14 total points.

UMass Dartmouth and the University of Southern Maine complete the 2008 preseason coaches’ ranking with 13 and six total points, respectively.

2008 Little East Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll

1. Keene State College (6), 36 pts.
2. Eastern Connecticut (1), 31 pts.
3. Western Connecticut, 25 pts.
4. Plymouth State University, 24 pts.
5. UMass Boston, 14 pts.
6. UMass Dartmouth, 13 pts.
7. Southern Maine, 6 pts.