The women of the Vanderbilt Lacrosse team are favored heavily as both the American Lacrosse Conference (ALC) and the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) preseason polls were released earlier this month. The IWLCA picked Vanderbilt to finish eighth in the NCAA between Notre Dame (7) and Cornell (9). The Tigers of Princeton University garnered the top spot followed closely by the Blue Devils of Duke University.

Regionally, in the American Lacrosse Conference, the Commodores were favored to win the conference title for the second consecutive year, edging out such ALC teams like Ohio State and Penn State who rounded out the top three.

Vanderbilt begins their season this Saturday against fellow ALC foe, Penn
State. This conference match-up marks the birth of the regular season for the
Commodores, as this will be Penn State’s third game of the season. Penn State
enters this weekend’s contest undefeated.

Overcoming the Nittany Lion’s strong offense will be somewhat challenging for
Vanderbilt as the Lions often strike with strong force and vigor. Nevertheless,
the Commodores are anxious in getting their season underway. Vanderbilt will
look to strong leadership from within their ranks as means of overpowering the
Lions.

Though Penn State enters this weekend’s contest with two games under their
belt, the Commodores are confident in their strength as a team. This unity will
propel them forward.

Vanderbilt enjoyed a strong preseason showing at the South of the Border
Tournament in North Carolina. Vanderbilt is hoping that tournament will be just
a glimmer of the light that is to be shown in these next few months.

Vanderbilt’s home opener will be March 9 at 1:00pm in the Vanderbilt Lacrosse
Complex.