49ers Lead ALC D-II Preseason Poll

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – After a season that saw three of its teams finish in the top 20 nationally, the Atlantic Lacrosse Conference (ALC) has released its preseason coaches poll, with the University of North Carolina-Charlotte narrowly selected as the top team heading into the upcoming season.

The 49ers garnered 156 total points and secured seven first-place votes from the conference's head coaches. The ranking comes on the heels of a stellar campaign where UNC-Charlotte advanced to the national tournament and finished ranked 8th in the country.

Hot on their heels is the reigning ALC champion, Wake Forest University, which landed in the number two spot with 147 points and five first-place votes. The Demon Deacons are coming off a historic season that included their first-ever ALC championship and a debut appearance in the national tournament, concluding the year with a #13 national ranking.

Virginia Tech’s D2 squad, last year’s ALC runner-up, is picked to finish third with 143 points. The Hokies finished just outside the top 20 nationally last season after a hard-fought loss to Wake Forest in the conference title game. Rounding out the top four is UNC-Wilmington, which collected 135 points and the remaining first-place vote. The Seahawks finished with a #19 national ranking.

The poll suggests another highly competitive season is on the horizon for the ALC, with a deep stable of teams ready to battle for the conference crown.