LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University lacrosse team, ranked No. 4 nationally has been picked to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division as it was announced in today’s PSAC Preseason Lacrosse Coaches Poll.

The Haven received all six first-place votes.

LHU is followed by Mercyhurst, Gannon, IUP, Slippery Rock and Edinboro.

West Chester University, the defending NCAA Division II National Champions and number-one ranked team was picked to finish first in the Eastern Division.

The Lady Eagles are looking to continue their success in the national spotlight following a strong 2008 campaign, which included a 16-4 finish. LHU was 12-2 in the PSAC and finished as PSAC finalists.

Lock Haven will be led by returning All-Americans Leigh Titus (Towaco, N.J./Montville) and Katie Zichelli (South Orange, N.J./Columbia).

LHU is one of four schools that represent the PSAC in the IWLCA preseason poll.

The Lady Eagles begin the 2009 campaign when they travel to Spartanburg, S.C. for a matchup with Converse College on Wednesday, March 4. The contest is scheduled for a 4 p.m. start.

PSAC Preseason Poll (first place votes are in parenthesis)

Western Division

1. Lock Haven (6)

2. Mercyhurst

3. Gannon

4. IUP

5. Slippery Rock

6. Edinboro

Eastern Division

1. West Chester (6)

2. Bloomsburg

T3. East Stroudsburg

T3. Millersville

5. Shippensburg

6. Kutztown