HPU Panthers Picked No. 1 in Big South Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Poll

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The High Point University women’s lacrosse team was voted No. 1 for a second straight year in the Big South Conference women’s lacrosse preseason poll, the league announced on Wednesday. HPU went 10-9 overall and 6-1 in the conference last season while winning the inaugural Big South Conference Tournament.

The Panthers received seven out of eight first-place votes to lead the poll with 63 points. Davidson, who HPU defeated 9-7 in the conference championship game last spring, garnered the other first-place vote and finished second in the poll with 57 points followed by Longwood, Winthrop and Liberty. Coastal Carolina ranked sixth in the preseason poll with Campbell and Presbyterian College behind them.

High Point played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history last year after winning the inaugural Big South Tournament. HPU has a record of 40-17 through the program’s first three seasons.

HPU returns 24 members from its 2013 squad, including the Big South Defensive Player of the Year Jasmine Jordan. Jordan was also a member of the All-Conference team along with returners Mackenzie Carroll, Christie Dougherty, Sara Kuhlman and Alec Perry. Also returning for the Panthers are All-Tournament team members Cissy Woodyard and Emily Meier.

The 2014 season is set to begin on Feb. 8 when the Panthers host American. The team will play an exhibition game against William & Mary at Vert Stadium on Saturday, Feb. 1.

High Point will have eight regular-season home games this season and kick off Big South Conference play at home on April 3 against Presbyterian College. The Big South Tournament will consist of a semifinals and finals game on May 2 and May 4 that will be hosted by the No. 1 seed. The NCAA Tournament will begin on May 9.